This was the first time Yan Shouyi had encountered a Zen monk, whose bizarre offensive techniques caught him completely off guard.
Jiejing and Jiechuan were already closing in. The golden light emanating from their palms indicated they were practicing Iron Sand Palm.
If their Iron Sand Palms struck, losing one's head would be inevitable.
Meanwhile, Yan Shouyi was still ensnared by the monk's precepts, struggling between the act of picking up and letting go.
Mi Hua could no longer suppress the smirk at the corner of his mouth, believing that capturing Yan Shouyi was a foregone conclusion!
However, at that very moment, something dark and deep within Yan Shouyi's heart began to awaken.
"Break the precepts!"
The inner demon suddenly stirred, and out of its instinct to protect its host, it immediately helped Yan Shouyi negate the influence of the Zen monks' precepts!
Yan Shouyi's eyes instantly cleared. He gripped his Zanpakuto and, catching them by surprise, swung it out!
*Shlunk!*
*Shlunk!*
Two bloody arms fell to the ground!
This was followed by the screams of Jiejing and Jiechuan!
And Mi Hua's gasp!
"How did you break my precepts?!"
Kneeling on the ground, Jiejing and Jiechuan wailed. Yan Shouyi looked up and said coldly:
"What does the Buddhist scriptures teach you? Only you are allowed to kill others, and the one being killed cannot resist? Quite a skillful manipulation! Mi Hua!"
He didn't answer Mi Hua's question but instead mocked Mi Hua for defiling Buddhist methods.
However, Mi Hua already had his own understanding and interpretation of this matter, and Yan Shouyi's few words would not affect his Buddhist heart.
In other words, he was thick-skinned.
He glanced at the three dismembered individuals, sighed inwardly, and knew he could no longer rely on others for help.
Thus, Mi Hua, wielding his six-ringed staff, fiercely struck at Yan Shouyi!
Simultaneously, he shouted, "Amitabha, maintain the precepts!"
This time, the influence was even stronger. Yan Shouyi not only wanted to discard the Ancestral Dragon Sword but also felt an urge to join his palms together and enter the monastic life.
However, the inner demon was not easily subdued. It immediately counteracted the effect of the precepts, allowing Yan Shouyi to regain his senses.
Upon regaining his clarity, Yan Shouyi merely glanced at Mi Hua and, without retaliating, turned and fled!
His reaction left Mi Hua bewildered once more.
They were fighting well, so why did he suddenly run? And he clearly had the upper hand!
Mi Hua had been evaded once and would not let Yan Shouyi escape this time. He immediately gave chase, leaving behind a command:
"Chang Ji, escort our three martial uncles back to Hanshan Temple and inform Master Ben Heng. Tell them that Yan Shouyi has appeared!"
Mi Hua had severely underestimated Yan Shouyi's abilities. Now, having suffered a setback, he understood that he couldn't handle Yan Shouyi on his own.
Therefore, he had to settle for the next best thing, hoping his sect would send reinforcements. As long as they collectively killed Yan Shouyi, he would still earn great merit.
However, Mi Hua's plan was once again thwarted.
This was because Yan Shouyi was not running down the mountain but rather *up* it!
They were already on the mountainside. To run further up meant heading towards Hanshan Temple!
Abbot Yan Song and Master Ben Heng were both within the temple. Yan Shouyi's appearance would surely cause a stir throughout the entire temple!
"You scoundrel, what exactly do you want to do!" Mi Hua couldn't help but curse.
Yan Shouyi, running ahead, wore an increasingly frenzied smile.
Although his actions were influenced by his inner demon, they were also the result of careful consideration.
Since Abbot Hai Xin had appeared to him in a dream, Yan Shouyi learned that his whereabouts had been exposed and began to strategize how to escape trouble.
"Mi Hua will undoubtedly pursue me relentlessly, and perhaps other sects will join in later. This matter must be resolved once and for all!"
"Hanshan Temple has not yet declared its intention to attack our Folk Study Society, indicating that Abbot Yan Song of Hanshan Temple is still keeping his options open. This means that even if I appear at Hanshan Temple, Abbot Yan Song may not kill me, but at most imprison me... This is an opportunity!"
"Instead of constantly hiding outside, it's better to appear directly at Hanshan Temple. This way, I can avoid Mi Hua and others from plotting against me behind the scenes. When I meet Abbot Yan Song... haha, things will become interesting!"
Before arriving in Jinling, Yan Shouyi had already formulated a complete plan, a plan that would guarantee his safe escape and ensure Hanshan Temple kept his movements secret!
The first step of this plan was to infiltrate Hanshan Temple alone!
Therefore, upon arriving in Jinling, he had contacted a delivery person and used their network to send a message to the Folk Study Society's intelligence, postponing his meeting with the Dog Taoist and Long Feicheng.
He then proceeded directly to Hanshan Temple.
Later, when he encountered Mi Hua and his companions, his attack was merely a retaliatory act influenced by his inner demon. Reaching Hanshan Temple was Yan Shouyi's true objective, which was why he had suddenly turned and fled while holding the advantage.
At this very moment, Yan Shouyi was running ahead, with Mi Hua in pursuit behind him.
Mi Hua, clad in a kasaya and carrying the heavy, hundred-pound six-ringed staff, looked quite comical as he ran, having to prop up the staff with one hand and hold up the hem of his kasaya with the other.
This meant he couldn't run very fast and was completely unable to catch up to Yan Shouyi!
Mi Hua couldn't help but shout, "Amitabha... may your feet grow sores!"
Yan Shouyi, running ahead, suddenly stumbled.
He felt as if sores had indeed appeared on the soles of his feet, causing him pain with every step.
This actually worked?!
The people of your Buddhist sect have such venomous tongues!
Was this a precept or a curse?!
Seeing that his precept had taken effect, Mi Hua prepared to curse Yan Shouyi a few more times.
But Yan Shouyi would not allow it. He bent down, scooped up a handful of dirt, muttered a few words over it, and then threw it out—he was also cursing Mi Hua, using a curse from the Luban Shu.
With a *splat*, Mi Hua behind him suddenly took a great fall, his front teeth even scraping sparks on the ground.
Yan Shouyi laughed heartily, "Now you can't be a jinx, can you?!"
"Preposterous!"
Mi Hua scrambled to his feet, his teeth gnashed in anger.
However, the fall had swollen his mouth, making it difficult to articulate. He probably had trouble casting his precepts now.
He could only watch helplessly as Yan Shouyi disappeared from his sight...
...
Master Ben Heng, nicknamed the Sweeping Monk.
He was also the abbot of Hanshan Temple.
If Abbot Yan Song were to pass away, Master Ben Heng would be the undisputed successor.
He was highly respected in Hanshan Temple, second only to Abbot Yan Song, and his sole pastime was sweeping fallen leaves.
Today, having nothing else to do, Master Ben Heng picked up his broom and quietly swept the fallen leaves outside the temple.
Just then, an abrupt figure burst before Master Ben Heng.
The young man, dressed in black, was panting heavily. He stopped before Hanshan Temple, looked up, and then burst into laughter:
"Hanshan Temple, I've arrived!! Hahahahaha!"
Master Ben Heng asked the young man in surprise, "Who are you?"
Yan Shouyi replied with a smile, "I'm your father!"