Chapter Nineteen: Possessing the Refined Air of a Wei and Jin Scholar

"Long time no see, Elder Xu."

Xue Muhua looked down from a height at his old acquaintance lying on the ground.

"Divine Physician Xue, were you also... were you also captured by 'that man'?" Elder Xu Chongxiao asked, deliberately lowering his voice.

A hint of a smile appeared on Xue Muhua's face. "We set off tomorrow, Elder Xu. Do not cause me any trouble."

"You!" Xu Chongxiao realized something, his expression stunned. "You and that man..."

He could not fathom how a man of the Divine Physician's status in the pugilistic world could associate himself with a bandit. Capturing him was one thing, but the Beggar Sect, Qingliang Temple, and the Shan family would not let this rest. If things escalated, the Beggar Sect could invoke the cause of righteousness and summon many heroes to aid them at any moment. To stand against the entire martial arts world would lead to an obvious end.

"Divine Physician Xue, if you were to help me—"

Xue Muhua smiled and interrupted him. "Get some sleep." In his eyes, the man was nothing more than a frog in a well.

His residence was close to Leigu Mountain. Having been the first to return after receiving his master's message, he had witnessed his grandmaster and the master of the house sparring on the mountaintop, moving as gracefully as immortals, their casual palms and fingers possessing the force to overturn seas and mountains.

In the past, he had exchanged his medical expertise for various martial arts manuals to find a way to counter Ding Chunqiu. Though his own martial arts were not top-tier, his knowledge was second to none. What he had seen his grandmaster and the master of the house display went beyond the description of peerless experts; they were more like immortals walking the earth. He would have to be out of his mind to defy the master's will.

Having finished speaking, he stepped outside, closed the door, and kept a quiet vigil.

Xu Chongxiao was completely bewildered. He could not understand why that man had kidnapped him, nor could he fathom why the Divine Physician would serve someone so loyally. Why?

Nursing his doubts, he spent a sleepless night. The next morning, Xue Muhua led him downstairs, where he encountered a short, thin old man.

"Master of the Deaf-Mute Sect, Su Xinghe." He recognized the man at a glance. Living long and lingering in the world for so long always had its advantages.

What surprised him was seeing Xue Muhua bow respectfully and say, "Master."

"Elder Xu, sit." Su Xinghe nodded, signaling his disciple to rest to the side, his tone calm.

Xu Chongxiao sat down opposite him, maintaining his composure. "I never imagined the Divine Physician was a member of the Deaf-Mute Sect."

"Ancient history, not worth mentioning." Su Xinghe had no intention of making small talk. "Eat. Once Master Zhang comes down for his meal, we shall depart." He did not wish for a prisoner to dine with his master, so he had brought the man down early to get a bite.

Xu Chongxiao had been heavily injured the previous night, and having spent the night tossing and turning, he was famished. Looking at the food on the table, he suppressed his appetite and asked, "I do not believe I have ever had any dealings with the Deaf-Mute Sect." Beyond the occasional festival, he had only seen this old man once before in his life.

Su Xinghe ignored him, eating at his own pace. His movements were slow, deliberate, and extremely elegant. Despite his rough appearance, every gesture was that of a refined scholar. He himself did not even know what Master Zhang intended to do or what there was to discuss.

Rebuffed, Xu Chongxiao asked several more questions without receiving a reply. Finally, unable to bear his hunger, he began to wolf down the food, trying as best he could to remain dignified. Having lived in luxury for years, he had never experienced the sensation of being a prisoner.

About an hour later, Zhang Chengyi strolled down to eat. Xu Chongxiao stood to the side, full and cold-eyed, watching. He noticed that the adventurer from Jinshan used crude language and gestures, showing no signs of a prestigious background, standing in stark contrast to Su Xinghe. Judging by their manners, the master and servant were completely reversed. Was it merely because of his superior martial arts?

Xu Chongxiao speculated whether there was some hidden coercion or trickery at play. Confused, he was taken away from the inn as soon as Zhang Chengyi finished his meal.

Two carriages, one following the other, swayed as they left Jingfu Temple. Several monks followed from a distance, not daring to approach. In the days that followed, Xu Chongxiao was led along at a leisurely pace. Knowing he was injured and could not get far, he simply cooperated. He left several markings along the way, even using others to try and mislead his captors, hoping for reinforcements. Yet, the group ignored him, seemingly indifferent to his actions. Suspecting a trap, he repeatedly used coded messages to warn his allies.

Soon, the carriages stopped near a temple.

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In the county town, on the street in front of the temple.

"Master Zhang, we have arrived."

Su Xinghe stopped the carriage and was about to find a place to park when he noticed a monk and a scholar standing at the gate of the wild temple. They seemed to be quarreling, and faint snatches of their conversation drifted over. Well, it was less of a conversation and more of the monk unilaterally hurling insults.

"You son of a bitch, you castrated piece of trash, get out!"

"Vulgar! You insult the refined arts!" The scholar's lips trembled with rage. Seeing the monk roll up his sleeves to reveal thick, muscular arms and step forward with a furious face, the scholar covered his face and retreated, stumbling as he ran away.

After chasing the man off, the monk sighed, looking somewhat melancholic.

"Master, Master Zhang, that is the monk Huiming," Xue Muhua whispered, leaning in.

"This monk is interesting," Zhang Chengyi remarked, looking intrigued. A man of the cloth who looked robust, was skilled at roasting pork, and was full of foul language—truly an amusing fellow.

Xu Chongxiao, however, looked displeased after hearing Huiming’s profanity. He had come from Qingliang Temple, and even after retiring, he had returned to the temple grounds. Although his own character was hardly pure—he had even made advances on Kang Min when she came to him for help—he still outwardly maintained the facade of a proper Buddhist disciple. Seeing an unconventional peer made him quite uncomfortable.

"Speaking of which, the name Huiming... sounds like he came from the Shaolin Temple?" Zhang Chengyi suddenly noticed this.

Xue Muhua quickly replied, "Yes, Master Zhang. Monk Huiming was once a disciple of the 'Hui' generation at the Shaolin Temple. Later, for reasons unknown, he abandoned his martial arts, descended the mountain with his ordination certificate, and began operating this wild temple."

"He uses the money he raises for charity and is said to have adopted many orphans. He is highly respected in the area, though his personality..." Xue Muhua thought for a moment and added euphemistically, "is quite reminiscent of the scholars of the Wei and Jin dynasties."

The Wei and Jin scholars who spent their time gathering to take drugs and go mad?

Zhang Chengyi formed an image of this interesting monk and looked on with interest. Su Xinghe gave his disciple a look. Xue Muhua understood immediately and stepped forward to call out to Huiming, who was about to return to the temple. The two soon began to talk.