As Yan Shouyi and his party left Hanshan Temple, dozens of carriages followed, crowding onto the temple grounds.
These were individuals from prestigious sects near Jinling, who had received the news.
Upon hearing that the God of Slaughter, Yan Shouyi, was at Hanshan Temple, these old scoundrels descended like flies to rotting meat.
Jinling is located in Jiangnan Province, and within Jiangnan Province lies another top-tier sect, the Maoshan Sect from Zhenjiang.
It can be said that today, all sects except the Maoshan Sect had arrived.
Hundreds of people gathered at the entrance of Hanshan Temple, a dark and dense mass, making a terrible din. Hanshan Temple had never been so lively.
It was a pity that these people were not here to offer incense and pray, but to demand an explanation.
They clamored for Abbot Yansong to come out and speak, but Hanshan Temple offered no response, not even sending a young novice to relay a message.
This proud and indifferent response infuriated everyone.
Did top sects look down on other sects?
Did having a super-expert stationed there make them arrogant!
We are, after all, members of the Xuanmen; we should unite and confront the folk cults together!
The boisterous crowd's anger simmered and soon erupted.
"You bald donkeys of Hanshan Temple, what's your deal!"
"Don't you know Yan Shouyi's identity? You actually let him go! Are you not planning to side with the prestigious sects anymore?!"
"Where is Abbot Yansong? Where is Abbot Benheng? Are all the monks at Hanshan Temple dead? Not even a messenger is available!"
"If you don't respond soon, we'll break in. Don't say we didn't warn you!"
"Good heavens, Buddhism is becoming increasingly arrogant. We will flatten your Hanshan Temple today!"
Just as everyone was flexing their muscles, ready to storm Hanshan Temple, a young novice finally pushed open the temple gates.
He was only eleven or twelve years old, his face still bearing childish innocence, tears welling in his eyes. Seeing so many people outside, he was visibly startled.
"Young monk, why are you coming out? Are there no adults at Hanshan Temple? Go away, go play! Call your master… no, call your grandmaster out to talk!"
The young monk recoiled two steps, intimidated by the faces before him, and dared not speak for a moment.
But then he recalled his sorrow, and his emotions could no longer be contained, and he shouted loudly:
"What are you people yelling about in this sacred Buddhist ground! Abbot Yansong just passed away, and everyone is heartbroken. Can't you be a little quieter! Wuwuwuwu..."
Abbot Yansong... passed away?
Everyone froze. The previously noisy scene outside the temple fell into an eerie silence.
Subsequently, a more chaotic discussion erupted.
Abbot Yansong was a figure on par with the old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin of Longhu Mountain, arguably the most senior elder in the Xuanmen today. He was dead?!
Did he die of old age? Sickness? Or was he killed by the God of Slaughter, Yan Shouyi?
This was huge news, even more shocking to the Xuanmen than Yan Shouyi's departure from Rongcheng.
The young monk, his face etched with sorrow, saw that these people showed no sympathy for his abbot, discussing it fervently like gossip about a village idiot's fight.
He didn't understand why people's joys and sorrows couldn't be shared.
At this moment, Benheng, clad in plain white robes, appeared behind the young monk.
He gently patted the young monk's bald head, signaling him to return inside.
After the young monk left, Benheng stepped out of the temple and looked at the crowd with a calm, unreadable expression.
"Abbot Yansong was advanced in years, his time had come, and he has just passed away. Hanshan Temple will soon observe a year of fasting and mourning. For Abbot Yansong's sake, we request that you no longer disturb the peace of Hanshan Temple."
The crowd fell silent for a moment, then someone asked, "Abbot Benheng, was Abbot Yansong killed by Yan Shouyi?"
Abbot Yansong's death itself wasn't important; what mattered was how he died. If Yan Shouyi had killed him, then the prestigious sects could once again pin a charge on the folk cults.
Seeing how eager these people were to frame Yan Shouyi, Benheng felt a pang of sadness.
Yan Shouyi, known as the God of Slaughter, had grieved for a long time upon learning of Abbot Yansong's death.
Yet, these so-called fellow practitioners showed no such sorrow.
He replied, "It has nothing to do with Yan Shouyi."
The crowd's brows furrowed, seemingly unable to accept this answer.
Another person asked loudly, "Why did Hanshan Temple let Yan Shouyi go? With your skill, Abbot Benheng, capturing Yan Shouyi should not be difficult! Or… although Hanshan Temple is a prestigious sect, its heart leans towards the folk cults?!"
Benheng frowned and replied, "When Yan Shouyi appeared in northern Huizhou, he was being pursued by my second disciple, Miaohua. He was then chased by Miaohua all the way to Hanshan Temple, but he used the Buddhist disciple Changshan as a hostage to threaten his way out of Hanshan Temple."
Yan Shouyi took Changshan hostage?
This answer also failed to satisfy everyone, as they all knew that Yan Shouyi and Changshan had a good relationship.
Who would kidnap their friend???
At this moment, Chang Ji stepped forward to testify: "Yan Shouyi is unpredictable. Senior Brother Changshan was truly mistaken about him this time! We personally witnessed Yan Shouyi abduct Senior Brother Changshan and even threatened to kill him!"
Upon hearing this, a silence fell over the scene.
Little monk, have you gone senile from chanting sutras?
Anyone with eyes could tell that these two were putting on an act...
Even Benheng looked at Chang Ji with pity.
Only Chang Ji firmly believed that his understanding of Yan Shouyi was the most accurate; he was an unpredictable, inherently brutal God of Slaughter!
The crowd still refused to let Hanshan Temple off the hook:
"Even if Yan Shouyi took Changshan hostage, did your Hanshan Temple have no intention of sending anyone to rescue your captured Buddhist disciple!?"
Benheng's expression darkened, and his voice deepened:
"As you can all see, Abbot Yansong has just passed away, and Hanshan Temple wishes to avoid further complications. Changshan is currently safe. As for when we will send people to rescue Changshan, that is Hanshan Temple's own affair. If any of you are displeased, you are welcome to take action. Whoever brings back Changshan will be greatly rewarded by Hanshan Temple!"
Abbot Yansong's death was the most important matter for Hanshan Temple at this moment; no one could refute this.
The intelligent individuals present began to understand.
Hanshan Temple was finding a way to save face, using the hostage situation with Changshan as an excuse to pretend Yan Shouyi had never set foot in Hanshan Temple.
Hanshan Temple remained on the side of the prestigious sects, but they would not act easily, nor would they confront Yan Shouyi.
Without these excuses, even Hanshan Temple would be forced into a corner by everyone.
Those who saw through the truth felt immense regret.
If they could drag Hanshan Temple down with them, the folk cults would have no room to maneuver.
Alas, after living for so many years, they were all shrewd individuals, and no one was easily outmaneuvered.
But could they really let Yan Shouyi go like this?
Impossible!
The members of various sects no longer harassed Hanshan Temple. Instead, they quietly descended the mountain and began organizing personnel to head north in search of Yan Shouyi.
This time, Hanshan Temple could abstain from involvement.
But Yan Shouyi must die!!!