Chapter 33: Monks and Armored Soldiers, Heaven's Net and Earthly Web

The group waited outside the door for some time, when suddenly a cloud of dust rose on the main street, and from afar, a band of people strode towards them with long, purposeful steps.

A stir rippled through the crowd.

“Those are men from the Four Seas Escort Agency.”

“The one leading them is their chief escort, Li Angwu, known as the Invisible Fist!”

“My word, their numbers are not much fewer than ours!”

Li Angwu, the Invisible Fist, stepped forward at the head of the Four Seas Agency and greeted the people of the South Sky Escort Agency with a respectful bow. “Master Guan, good day to you.”

“Chief Li, likewise,” replied Guan Shan, returning the gesture. One does not strike a smiling face.

“Here comes the Zhenyuan Escort Agency!”

“It’s Song Yanchao, the Triple Thunder Hammer.”

“And the Wantong Escort Agency!”

“And the Longwind Escort Agency!”

“Wang Cunyi, nicknamed the Eight-Armed Divine Sword—who knows if he is truly as formidable as they say.”

“I can’t say if Wang is so formidable, but the Four Great Vajras of Longwind Escort Agency are certainly not to be underestimated: Golden Hook and Silver Slash Hou Tong, Thunderbolt Hand Gong Kun, Blood-Drinking Mad Blade Yuan Ba, and Jade-Eyed Eagle Shangguan Lianrong. The four together are said to be invincible beneath the peak. Their reputation is so impressive it hasn’t been disproved; they must have something extraordinary.”

“What good are intimidating nicknames? In the end, our own Master Guan is the most formidable.”

“That goes without saying. The old master is ranked ninety-eighth in the Weapon Registry—he’s surely among the top hundred in the land.”

The disciples and followers of each escort agency whispered endlessly among themselves. The heads of the agencies exchanged pleasantries, though the cordiality towards Guan Shan was markedly warmer, while the others’ exchanges were tinged with insincere smiles. After all, their agencies had often clashed over prices, and none believed themselves inferior in skill. Mutual respect was rare, and only Guan Shan, a true master in the martial world, could command their admiration.

“Ha! Who’d have thought our escort agencies would ever take on a single job together?” Li Angwu, the Invisible Fist, of the Four Seas Escort Agency, remarked with some feeling.

“Indeed. Frankly, I doubt there’s much trouble in Jiangting City. With the four of us, the matter should be settled. Calling so many people is like using a sledgehammer to kill a chicken,” boasted Yuan Ba, the Blood-Drinking Mad Blade, one of Longwind’s Four Vajras.

“The one who pays is the boss. Who cares what the job is? Maybe they want us to deal with a Grandmaster,” Wang Cunyi of Wantong replied, cracking a dry joke.

The crowd chatted idly; time passed. Eventually, a runner approached the South Sky Escort Agency and called out, “Who’s in charge here? There’s a letter.”

“I am,” replied Guan Shan, taking the letter from the runner and opening it.

“The Left Street of Xingning Ward. Await further contact?” Guan Shan pondered the words, feeling the matter grow more mysterious.

No matter. The silver is real enough. Guan Shan tossed the letter aside and called out, “Ladies and gentlemen, the client says we are to wait together on the Left Street of Xingning Ward for further instructions. Prepare to depart!”

With Guan Shan’s command, over a hundred people from the five escort agencies set off in grand procession.

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The carriages rumbled, the horses whinnied, and travelers wore bows at their waists.

Outside Xingping Ward, squads of armored soldiers marched in succession. Each soldier gripped spear and shield, silent and stern. Armored cavalry rode back and forth, drawing their sabers and directing pedestrians to their homes or ordering them to remain in place.

The chilling aura of imminent violence made the townsfolk cower, guessing at the gravity of the situation.

At the ward gate, the warden quietly questioned a military officer, “Sir, could you tell me what is happening? To close eight ward gates in broad daylight—surely that’s excessive?”

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. The order comes from the Jiangting Prefectural Office and the Commandery. If you’re so curious, perhaps you’re tired of living,” the officer replied with a fierce glare, making the warden shrink back.

“Reporting, sir! All eight ward gates are now sealed,” a soldier hurried over.

“Very well. Stand down.”

“Yes, sir.”

“First through Fifth squads, step forward! Set a post every ten paces. Stay alert and vigilant—no slacking!”

The officers quickly followed orders, leaving the officer and a squad of armored guards at the gate with the warden. The officer craned his neck to peer into the ward.

“They’ve gone inside. That warden’s questions—how should I know? What’s going on in there that warrants citywide lockdown at dawn?”

At this moment, beneath the grand banyan on Houxi Street in Xingping Ward, Jingru, a monk from Tianyin Temple, holding his staff, was speaking to an elderly monk armed with a staff at eyebrow height, gazing at the manor opposite. “Brother Jingyue, the demon sect’s villains are wicked and fierce. Remember, when Tathagata grows wrathful, even the lion roars. When you act, do not hold back—strike these monsters with thunderous force.”

“Amitabha! Rest assured, brother, I know what’s at stake. I’ll send these beasts to the cycle of animal rebirth.”

The elder monk, Jingyue, had pronounced temples and a muscular back like a bear. His bronze face was deeply lined and exuded a fierce aura, seeming more like a warrior than the soldiers around him.

Just as Tianyin Temple’s Guest Hall head could never outmatch the Discipline Hall head in martial arts, so too in Jiangting City, where Tianyin Temple was an important branch. Jingru’s primary duty was managing daily affairs and external relations, his expertise lay in Buddhist doctrine. The task of vanquishing evil was more suited to his brother, Jingyue, who had devoted himself to martial pursuits.

Beside Jingru and Jingyue, thirty-six Tianyin Temple monks stood ready, wielding ritual knives, tasseled spears, iron rods, and other weapons. Among them, the five staff-wielding monks led by Jingyue were the most skilled, each a second-rate expert. Their combined Demon-Subduing Formation was particularly formidable.

Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the manor, banners snapping, blades and spears like a forest. At their head, a commander rode a blue steed, clad in heavy iron armor, wielding a spiked chain mace, listening to his subordinates’ reports.

“Sir, all vantage points and strategic locations are secured. Within three hundred paces, specialists are monitoring underground movements. All bystanders have been cleared. The criminals cannot escape. Shall we commence the assault?”

“Excellent. Masters, do you have any objections?” The commander turned to Jingru and his companions.

“We await your orders, General.”

“Very well—attack!”