C6 Su Chen Makes His Move

Kong Wen, Kong Zhi, and Kong Xing settled into their seats and sipped a cup of clear tea. Kong Wen addressed the room, "Sage Zhang, by age and rank, I am indeed your junior. Today, my intention was solely to celebrate your birthday and not to bring up other matters. However, as the Head of the Shaolin Temple, there are pressing issues I must discuss with you, and I hope you won't take offense."

Zhang Sanfeng was known for his forthrightness and got straight to the point, "Eminent monks, have you come concerning my fifth disciple, Zhang Cuishan?" Upon hearing his name, Zhang Cuishan promptly stood up.

"Yes," Kong Wen confirmed, "We have two matters to discuss with Zhang Cuishan. Firstly, he is accused of slaying all seventy-one members of the Shaolin Temple's Dragon Gate Escort Agency, as well as six Shaolin monks. How shall we resolve the fate of these seventy-seven souls?

Secondly, my senior brother, the compassionate and virtuous Master Kong Wen, was tragically slain by the Golden-Maned Lion King, Xie Xun. We've heard that Zhang Cuishan is aware of Xie's whereabouts and would appreciate any information he could provide."

Zhang Cuishan responded clearly, "Master Kong Wen, I assure you that the deaths of the seventy-seven from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency and the Shaolin monks were not my doing.

Throughout my life, I have abided by the teachings of my master. Though I may be simple-minded, I do not speak falsehoods. Regarding the true culprit behind those seventy-seven lives, I do know but choose not to disclose it. That is the first matter.

On the second matter, the world mourns the passing of Master Kong Wen. Despite my deep ties with the Golden-Maned Lion King, bound by a brotherhood as strong as gold, I am indeed privy to Xie Xun's location. Nonetheless, in our martial arts community, honor is paramount. I would rather lose my head and spill my blood than betray my sworn brother's trust.

This affair is neither my master's concern nor related to my fellow disciples; I alone bear the responsibility. Should you wish to compel me through threats of death, do as you must. In all my days, I have never brought shame upon my master or taken the life of an innocent. If you insist on pushing me towards dishonor, then death is all that awaits." His words resonated with unwavering integrity.

Kong Wen murmured "Amitabha" under his breath, pondering, "Judging by his words, there seems to be some truth. What should be done in this situation?"

The Head of the Shaolin Temple, Kong Wen, turned to Zhang Sanfeng and inquired, "Sage Zhang, how should we resolve today's issue? Your guidance would be appreciated."

Zhang Sanfeng replied, "My disciple may not have many skills, but he certainly isn't one to deceive his master. I trust he wouldn't dare mislead the esteemed Shaolin monks either. The deaths at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency and among your sect's disciples were not his doing. As for Xie Xun's whereabouts, he refuses to disclose them."

Kong Zhi let out a cold laugh and challenged, "Yet someone witnessed Zhang Cuishan slaying my disciple with their own eyes. Are you suggesting that Wudang disciples are incapable of lying, while Shaolin disciples are? Is that it?" With a sweep of his left hand, he signaled for three middle-aged monks to step forward.

These monks shared a distinct feature: each had lost their right eye. It seems likely they were the Shaolin monks Yuanxin, Yuanyin, and Yuanye, whom Yin Susu had blinded with her silver needles by the West Lake.

Zhang Cuishan had spotted these three monks earlier, accompanying Master Kong Wen up the mountain, and he sensed trouble brewing. He knew a confrontation over the West Lake incident was inevitable. As expected, Master Kong Zhi didn't waste much time before summoning the monks. Zhang Cuishan felt an immense inner conflict. He was not the perpetrator of the West Lake killings, but the true assailant was now his wife. Their bond was profound, and his instinct was to protect her. Yet, faced with the current predicament, how could he possibly do so?

Among the three monks, Yuanye was known for his volatile temper. He would have eagerly engaged in a deadly fight with Zhang Cuishan on sight, but out of respect for his Senior and Junior Masters, he had restrained himself. Now called forth by his master, he couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "Zhang Cuishan, at the West Lake in Lin'an, you attacked and injured him with your poisoned needles—I witnessed it myself. Are we to believe you've been falsely accused? We were blinded in our right eyes by your poisoned needles. Do you still intend to deny it?"

At that moment, Zhang Cuishan had no choice but to defend himself to the best of his ability. He asserted, "As a disciple of the Wudang Sect, I've learned to handle a variety of hidden weapons. However, they are all larger items like steel darts and sleeve arrows. The seven of us from Wudang have been known in the martial arts community for quite some time. Has anyone ever seen a Wudang disciple use tiny weapons like golden or silver needles? And the idea of us using poisoned needles is completely out of the question."

It was well-known that the Seven Heroes of Wudang always conducted themselves with integrity and transparency. The notion of Zhang Cuishan using poisoned needles to harm someone was difficult for the visiting martial artists to accept.

Yuanye, seething with anger, challenged him, "Even now, you continue to deny your actions? We clearly saw you kill Hui Feng with a needle. If it wasn't you, then who was it?"

Zhang Cuishan retorted, "Just because someone in your sect has been harmed, you expect the Wudang Sect to identify the culprit? Where in the world does such a rule exist?" His articulate response left Yuanye and the other monks at a loss for words.

"Haha, allow me to interject," Su Chen couldn't resist saying. He was concerned that if he didn't step in, Zhang Cuishan might lose his cool, followed by Yin Susu, and that was the last thing he wanted. Since he had arrived, he felt compelled to make a change; otherwise, it would be an embarrassment to other Time Jumpers.

"Who is this?" Yuanye roared, his temper flaring at the interruption.

"I'm merely a wandering cultivator from overseas," I replied with a smile.

As Su Chen emerged from the crowd, all eyes turned to him, making him feel as though he was encircled by a pack of beasts. Being a Time Jumper was no easy feat, especially for those less formidable.

"And who might you be, you insolent upstart? It's not your place to interrupt the masters," someone snapped.

Xi Huazi glared at Su Chen with disdain. The involvement of the Shaolin Temple had been a welcome development, as both Wudang and Shaolin were among the martial arts elite. While their sect was first-rate, it paled in comparison to the prestige of Shaolin. But now, this unknown youth had burst onto the scene, disrupting the proceedings and stirring Xi Huazi's ire.

"Who goes there?" Su Chen was instantly furious. If he hadn't known he was no match for the man, he would've struck him without hesitation. "Excuse me, is this the Kunlun Sect or Wudang Mountain?"

"You, you insolent cur, have the courage to state your name?" Xi Huazi regarded Su Chen with a cold gaze.

"We are indeed at Wudang Mountain, not a Kunlun Sect stronghold," Soong Yuanqiao interjected, his tone laced with displeasure as he glanced at Xi Huazi. "Since we have a visitor, may I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"

"Today is Sage Zhang's birthday. Naturally, I've come to offer my congratulations." Su Chen unslung his backpack, unzipped it, and revealed its contents.

All eyes in the room were immediately drawn to the object in the bag. It was a thing of beauty, crystal clear and crafted from glass, hexagonal in shape and studded with gems that twinkled like stars in the night sky.

It was unquestionably a treasure! The breaths of those present grew heavy with anticipation, their eyes fixed on the exquisite gift box. If the box itself was this valuable, what magnificent item could possibly be inside?

"This is the God of War's treasure. May Sage Zhang be blessed with fortune as vast as the East Sea and longevity as enduring as the South Mountain, and may he soon achieve enlightenment."

"This is a gift for my master." Zhang Songxi could hardly believe his eyes as he looked at Su Chen, and the other members of the Five Heroes of Wudang shared his astonishment. The entire hall fell silent, including the monks from Shaolin.

If anyone remained composed, it was the founder of Wudang Mountain himself, a realization that made Su Chen marvel at the true nature of a master.

Zhang Sanfeng, however, was far from the picture of tranquility he projected. Upon witnessing Su Chen present the treasure, he understood that Wudang's future would be anything but serene. A single Dragonbane and an ambiguous legend had the power to unleash chaos and bloodshed across the martial world. This treasure, with its mere appearance, was surely no less significant than the Dragonbane. While Wudang stood as a premier martial sect, safeguarding this treasure was something they were reluctant to do—not out of inability, but out of unwillingness.