NOVEL NEXT Chapter 141: Are There No One Left in the Southern Territory?
The Great Protector glanced at the Reincarnation Wheel Zen Master, and although he felt an inner trepidation, his outward demeanor was as imposing as ever. With a grand gesture, he commanded, "Serve tea!"
As his words fell, two alluring maids brought the tea forward. Experience tales at empire
The Reincarnation Wheel Grand Zen Master picked up the teacup, only sniffed it but did not drink, probably worried that it might be poisoned. After all, the Southern Territory of Xuanyuan Nation is home to the Hundred Herbs Garden, and although it's filled with divine healers, many of them are also skilled in poisons.
"As I was coming in, I heard that the King of the Southern Territory was also present, so why don't I see him?" the Reincarnation Wheel Zen Master set down the teacup and asked casually.
The Great Protector didn't speak; instead, he shifted his gaze towards a corner on the left, where Dugu Ming was seated.
Clearly, at this moment, the once aggressive and domineering Great Protector didn't wish to take the lead. He would have loved to push the Southern King out to deal with this unwelcoming Zen Master.
Southern King Dugu Ming knew all too well, but at this point, he had resolved to be invisible, considering that he had lost all of his martial arts skills. He couldn't be bothered with the rest, and even if he were to step forward, he doubted he could suppress this commanding presence of the Reincarnation Wheel Zen Master.
Unfortunately, at that moment, the Reincarnation Wheel Grand Zen Master noticed him and chuckled, "Isn't this gentleman sitting in the corner the King of the Southern Territory? Why does Southern King look so pale, and even his breath seems unstable?"
At that, the Great Zen Master slowly stood up and continued, "I heard that five years ago, due to a campaign against the Gu&Poison Sect of the Southern Border, Southern King was severely injured, and even his martial arts greatly damaged. It seems that the news is true, isn't it?"
Ye Feng, who was beside them, his gaze suddenly sharpened upon hearing this. He finally realized that the Reincarnation Wheel Grand Zen Master's visit tonight was not without cause, but to probe for information.
If it were confirmed that the Southern King was ill and his martial arts depleted, it could lead to instability in the Southern Territory. Then the neighboring Brahma Kingdom might take advantage of the situation to seize the disputed Hundred Thousand Mountains region at the border of the Southern Territory.
Nowadays, a large part of the Hundred Thousand Mountains region along the border of the Southern Territory remains disputed, and the boundary has not been clearly defined. This area abuts the Brahma Kingdom, the Ancient Yue Kingdom to the southwest, and the Xuanyuan Nation, causing the chaos that has persisted for decades.
The Southern King had also discerned the visitor's intention. He responded with a cold laugh, "The Zen Master is kind to show concern. I am merely suffering from a slight chill. There are no serious issues with my health."
Dugu Ming remained seated without getting up, carrying a certain air of dignity. He then said, "Since the Zen Master's visit is merely a personal call, according to the customs and rules, I need not present myself. It is sufficient for the Great Protector to do so!"
It must be said that although Dugu Ming lacked iron-handed tactics and formidable courage, his verbal dexterity was quite remarkable. With just a few words, he tossed the hot potato back to the Great Protector.
You wanted to take the lead today, Great Protector, to have your moment in the limelight? Well, then have at it!
Sure enough, the Quasi-Wheel Zen Master brought his hands together in prayer and said, "In that case, I will no longer disturb the Southern King!" He then turned his head towards the Great Protector.
The Great Protector, meanwhile, was inwardly cursing Southern King Dugu Ming for being a coward.
But given the circumstances, he found no immediate way to extricate himself. The Great Protector could only ask, "For what purpose has the Grand Zen Master traveled from afar?"
The Reincarnation Wheel Zen Master laughed heartily, "To speak the truth, nine years ago, I once visited the Southern Territory and had a battle with your Old Southern King. Although I was confident, I ended up losing half a move to your Old Southern King. That day, I swore a solemn oath that within ten years, I would seek another audience for instruction!"
Then the Second Protector of the Southern Territory said, "The Reincarnation Wheel Zen Master once sparred with the Old Southern King? That seems unlikely. We four were the retainers of the Old Southern King and accompanied him at all times, yet we never heard him mention this."
"Hahahaha..."
The Reincarnation Wheel Grand Zen Master burst into laughter once again and announced loudly, "Although you all were retainers of the Old Southern King, with his lofty status, surely not everything had to be reported and explained to you?"
In one sentence, he blocked any counter from the Four Great Protectors—after all, the Old Southern King was dead, without evidence to the contrary, what they claimed he said couldn't be refuted.
The Quasi-Wheel Zen Master then leisurely said, "Back then, I had already made a solemn vow that within ten years, I would seek another audience for instruction. Now, almost a decade has passed, and unexpectedly, the Old Southern King has ascended to the heavens on a crane. This truly fills me with sorrow, yet the vow and promise made that year cannot be abandoned."
The Four Protectors fell silent, unsure of how to respond to his words.
Yet Ye Feng, sitting in the wheelchair, couldn't help but sneer secretly. Now he understood their purpose; on the one hand, they wanted to probe into the reality of Southern King Dugu Ming, and on the other, they sought to display their might and prestige in the Southern Territory under the title of Martial King.
As for whether this bald Quasi-Wheel had sparred with the Old Southern King, that detail was unimportant—it was nothing more than an excuse.
At this moment, the Four Protectors faintly smiled and said, "Setting aside whether the Old Southern King had such an arrangement with the Zen Master, now that the Old Southern King has passed on, this agreement should rightfully be voided!"
"Not at all!"
The Reincarnation Wheel Grand Zen Master immediately interrupted with a cold voice, "You do not know that after being defeated by the Old Southern King, I reflected deeply on the pain and practiced night and day upon returning. This matter became an obsession of the heart. Moreover, I had already made a toxic vow that I would return to the Southern Territory within ten years.
You of the Xuanyuan Nation have a saying, 'A promise made by a gentleman is irrevocable even by a team of horses.' Can the words that have been spoken be taken back?"
Once again, the four protectors fell silent, and the hall suddenly descended into quietude, the various Domain Lords who had been full of oppressive presence, now became invisible spectators.
Then, a bald monk wearing a red kasaya with exposed shoulders spoke up, "Quasi-Wheel Grand Zen Master, if I may suggest, the matter is not difficult to solve. Since the Old Southern King of the Southern Territory has passed away, let his disciple or successor come out to contest and share insights with the Great Zen Master."
Upon hearing this, the Quasi-Wheel Grand Zen Master immediately nodded, "Indeed, this is a good solution. But I wonder, did the Old Southern King have a successor or disciple?"
The Great Protector awkwardly smiled and said, "The Old Southern King spent his life on the battlefield and did not take any disciples. However, the New Southern King Dugu Ming is his adopted son."
"Then let the New Southern King accept the challenge!" said the bald Grand Lama who had just spoken.
"How dare you! With the high status of the Southern King, it is not for you to dictate when he should fight. It seems to me you are blatantly challenging the majesty of our Southern King. Are you seeking death?" Lan Youzhong immediately stood up and rebuked sternly.
Lan Youzhong truly had courage, and with a good nature and loyalty, Ye Feng nodded inwardly upon seeing this.
However, the bald monk appeared utterly unafraid and coldly stated, "With the Southern King's noble identity, it is indeed inappropriate for him to fight. Then please have the Southern King designate another skilled subordinate to accept the battle!"
Dugu Ming said in a deep voice, "As I have already mentioned before, since this is a personal visit, and since you are neither the Lord of Brahma Kingdom nor the Dharma King in person, according to custom and etiquette, I shall naturally not make an appearance. All matters will be decided by the Great Protector!"
The Reincarnation Wheel Grand Zen Master had no choice but to turn to the Great Protector again, "Then, please have the Great Protector make the decision and send forth a skilled fighter from the Southern Territory!"
The Great Protector was immediately troubled, unsure of how to respond.
Then the previously speaking bald Grand Lama opened his mouth again, "What's the matter? You of the Xuanyuan Nation often boast that your land is vast with copious resources and abundant in martial talents. We are only asking you to send a skilled fighter to match our Great Zen Master, and yet you are silent? Could it be that there is no one left in the Southern Territory?"