Chapter 330: Above the Great River, the Colorful Clothes Intercept the White Clothes

The sudden decision by Xihe Prefecture to dam the river and alter its course was a major undertaking, fraught with conflicting interests. Fortunately, Legate Helian’s immense prestige prevented anyone from openly opposing the move. Helian Wuwei also provided substantial compensation to the powerful families whose lands along the lower Yellow River would be affected. Many scions of noble families were able to join the Kunbi Army, holding minor official posts that had previously been beyond their wildest dreams. Furthermore, the river diversion only created a twenty-li semi-circle, not a fundamental disruption. For a time, Xihe Prefecture remained calm, with only a few rumors circulating privately among the elite families. The common people continued their daily lives as usual, only regretting that the Legate had forbidden trade and commerce near the damming site, which was supervised by the Kunbi Army; otherwise, they could have earned extra income. As the saying goes, "A horse cannot grow fat without night grass"—a principle that holds true everywhere.

Xu Fengnian and Helian Wuwei arrived at the river damming site. This undertaking, to steal from the Qin Emperor’s tomb, which had been hidden for nearly a millennium, involved an intricate web of shadowy forces. Helian Wuwei was engaged in a perilous venture, essentially "opening his gates to robbers." Grand General Zhong Shentong alone presented a significant challenge. Thus, the old Legate dared not be complacent, entrusting everything to the Kunbi Army, led by his most trusted men. Xu Fengnian observed a group of men and women, dressed as scholars, directing operations from a high platform. Most looked gaunt, entirely lacking the refined air of literati. Xu Fengnian asked in surprise, "Mohist disciples?" Helian Wuwei nodded with a smile but did not elaborate on his family’s resources.

Xu Fengnian had reverted to his scholar’s disguise. When he had climbed over the wall into the Legate’s mansion, the old white-haired man had recognized him at a glance, not only because of the Spring Thunder saber at his waist but primarily because the two, old and young, had known each other for many years. His disguise, being of the "rooted" level, only altered his appearance, not his vital energy, which was why the old man had recognized him. The witch Shuxiu had created a perfect disguise, costing her ten years of life, which she had given to Murong Tonghuang, who was far more ambitious than her sister, Murong Wuzhu. Helian Wuwei led Xu Fengnian on a slow walk along the riverbank. Recently, there had been a rare heavy rain, and the initial effects of the damming were not yet evident. The water level was still much higher than in previous years, turbulent and muddy, its roar like thunder, inspiring awe. Xu Fengnian had left his Spring and Spring Thunder sabers at the mansion. With empty hands, he squatted on a large rock by the bank, feeling the spray on his face. His ears hummed with the sound, and the flow of his vital energy, imperceptibly drawn by the great river, was several times swifter than usual. Helian Wuwei tossed a small stone into the river, and it vanished without a splash. He mused, "When I was young, I often swam in the river after rain, and I particularly liked swimming against the current. Now, I can’t do that; a few strokes and I’d probably be swept away. If I were to get in the water in my old age, I’d only choose a calm section. You have to accept old age, even if you don’t want to."

As Xu Fengnian was about to speak, he saw a group of richly dressed, noble-looking individuals slowly approaching, chatting and laughing. Leading them was a tall man whose simple gestures exuded an air of commanding authority. Behind him were several somewhat familiar faces: Lu Gui and his daughter Lu Chen, Zhong Tan, and his maid Liu Daogu. Apart from Lu Chen, Xu Fengnian had only met the others once. Xu Fengnian had initially worried that Lu Chen would expose him upon seeing him, but to his surprise, she did not even glance his way, treating him as more of a stranger than a stranger. Xu Fengnian remained squatting. Helian Wuwei glanced at the group, reined in his vital energy, and calmly stated, "That is Grand General Zhong Shentong. He has close ties with the Beimang Imperial Tent and is better at handling people than leading troops. It’s a pity his brother Zhong Liang didn’t come today."

When Zhong Shentong saw Helian Wuwei, he laughed heartily and quickly approached him, creating a distance from the group behind him. The high-ranking and influential Grand General Zhong humbly presented himself as a junior, cupping his hands in salute and saying, "Greetings, old General Helian." Helian Wuwei did not allow Grand General Zhong’s enthusiasm to go unreturned. He slapped Xu Fengnian on the back of his head, as if an elder were disciplining an arrogant, untalented nephew. He angrily chided, "Are you not going to get up and bow to General Zhong?!" Xu Fengnian, looking helpless, stood up and bowed, his waist bending imperceptibly. Helian Wuwei put on a disappointed expression, sighing, "Please forgive him, General Zhong. This junior, from a distant branch of my family, is unruly and has no manners."

The old man then turned and glared at Xu Fengnian, scolding, "You think you’re above everyone just because you’ve read a few basketfuls of sage books? Have you passed the imperial examination as the top scholar or become a prime minister? You’re just a frog in a well; you won’t amount to anything! Forget about others; just look at General Zhong’s eldest son, Zhong Tan. He’s only a few years older than you, yet he’s already a genuine Jinglang Commander, commanding three thousand elite soldiers, and he almost became the first top scholar of this dynasty. He’s a hundred times better than your stinking, pretentious writings!" Zhong Shentong saw the handsome young man hesitate, as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself, likely out of consideration for the Zhong family’s prestige, thus suppressing his scholarly arrogance, though he still didn’t look pleased. Grand General Zhong was not surprised by Helian Wuwei’s claim of a distant relative. The Helian surname was a prominent, sprawling family name in Xihe Prefecture. Helian Wuwei himself came from a family of officials but joined the military after his family’s decline. As a battle-hardened general, Helian Wuwei was famously diligent in his studies of literature throughout Beimang, never neglecting them during decades of military life. He held scholars in high regard, so it was natural that he would place great hopes on a promising descendant from a declining family, just as Zhong Shentong would have in his place.

Zhong Shentong did not wish for such trivial matters to sour the atmosphere and harm the larger strategic interests. So he smiled and said comfortingly, "Old General, please do not overpraise my unworthy son. He is merely a few years older than your young nephew, Helian." Xu Fengnian muttered, "What are three thousand soldiers? When I make a name for myself in court, thirty thousand iron cavalry will still be too few." Helian Wuwei kicked him, glaring, "Your armchair strategizing is useless!" Xu Fengnian dodged the gentle kick, then deliberately turned his back on everyone, as if humiliated by his elder in front of outsiders, unable to maintain his composure. Zhong Shentong found Helian Wuwei’s dramatic scolding amusing. He played the role of a peacemaker, offering a few polite words about how youthful ambition was a good thing. Then, the two pillars of the Beimang army left the group and walked along the bank. Their discussion was naturally about the subsequent excavation into the tomb after the river was dammed. Both were seemingly straightforward old foxes, which meant much strategizing and subtle power plays were involved. Generally, the elite Hexi Kunbi Army would be responsible for damming the river and driving away or eliminating any vagrants who dared to approach the Qin Emperor’s tomb. The Zhong family promised to provide the Kunbi Army with large quantities of high-quality iron ore at extremely low prices. The old Legate was known for his frugality and integrity, holding the best reputation among Beimang’s eight regional governors. Zhong Shentong did not believe Helian Wuwei would covet the tomb’s treasures or harbor murderous intent. However, if it were Murong Baoding, whose martial prowess surpassed even Zhong Liang’s, Zhong Shentong would never dare to cooperate in such a scheme.

The private discussion had gone very well. Zhong Shentong looked back to see Zhong Tan and the Lu family father and daughter were out of place with the young Helian, which was understandable. As Zhong Shentong walked slowly, he frowned. His brother had said he was going to Princess Tomb but hadn’t said why. He was accustomed to his brother’s eccentric behavior, but this tomb entry was too important for any mistakes or oversights. Zhong Shentong knew a little about Zhong Liang’s relationship with the "Little Monk" from Princess Tomb, but not the full extent. He didn’t want to pry, only hoping that this cooperation with Princess Tomb’s "colorful-robed ghosts," who had been guarding it for eight hundred years, wouldn’t cause any unforeseen complications. Princess Tomb, as the tomb guardians, were essentially stealing from their own charge, and Zhong Shentong harbored a deep distrust of them.

Zhong Shentong and Helian Wuwei suddenly focused their vital energy, as if facing a formidable enemy. In a daze, a white rainbow appeared, treading the river, moving upstream towards its source.

As the white rainbow passed, it cut through the waves, causing the river water to surge by a full *zhang*, violently striking both banks.

As the white rainbow surged forward, a dozen figures, like colorful butterflies, descended from the sky, seemingly to block its path. These "colorful robes" were like celestial beings from ancient murals, their sleeves several *zhang* long, each trailing wisps of cloud and mist, making them appear even more ethereal, as if immortals had descended to the mortal realm.

A low Buddhist chant reached their ears. Xu Fengnian recognized it as the Great Strength Bodhisattva Heart Mantra. The rainbow-like white-robed figure finally paused, hovering a few feet above the river, extending an arm to form a hand seal. It was a monk in a white kasaya, facing the eighteen colorful robes with their thirty-six sleeves. As the last word of the chant ended, an anomaly occurred in the Yellow River beneath him. Just like the mantra’s name: "Great Strength Arrives in an Instant!"

The river surface behind the white-robed monk suddenly fractured. Half the river water vanished, while the other half abruptly halted, surging up dozens of *zhang*. It formed a leaping yellow dragon, drawing an arc in the air, and following the direction of the monk’s single-arm hand seal, it covered the sky, then the earth, surging towards the eighteen graceful "colorful robes" who were drawing in heavenly mist.

The yellow dragon went first, followed by the white-robed monk. The "colorful robes," whose entrance had been so beautiful, were instantly scattered into disarray along with the heavenly mist. The eighteen women either fell into the river, tumbled onto the bank, or were flung dozens of *zhang* away by the yellow dragon, appearing utterly disheveled and completely devoid of any celestial aura.

The white-robed monk ignored the women, who were like mantises trying to stop a chariot, and continued along the river. "The Yellow River’s waters come from heaven." The Beimang state religion, the Daode Sect, was located in that "heaven." The white-robed monk was headed for the Daode Sect, where the Qilin Immortal resided, and the simplest route was along the river.

Zhong Shentong’s face darkened as he muttered, "The white-robed monk, Li Dangxin!" Helian Wuwei exclaimed admiringly, "He lives up to his reputation as the Indestructible Vajra, whom even Beimang’s foremost expert could do nothing against."

Zhong Tan turned to his maid, Liu Daogu, and playfully whispered, "Your Princess Tomb’s 'Ascension Sleeves' are far too vulnerable. With such meager strength, do you really think you can challenge the Great Monk Luoyang?" The maid dismissed his jibe with a smile, pointing into the distance. The eighteen "colorful robes" had failed in their obstruction, and now a tall figure suddenly emerged. Too far to distinguish gender, this individual spread their arms, revealing a grotesque four-armed form. When this monstrous figure raised their arms, the eighteen defeated "colorful robes" were pulled into the air like puppets on strings.

Zhong Tan exclaimed in surprise, "Is that your 'Little Monk'? Then my uncle’s taste is truly peculiar!" Liu Daogu shook her head, "That’s a living corpse, worshipped by Princess Tomb for three hundred years. I advise you not to get close and see it with your own eyes, or you won’t be able to sleep. Besides having four arms, she has a *pipa*-like embrace, and two faces—one a compassionate Ksitigarbha, the other a joyful one." Zhong Tan clicked his tongue, "Terrifying, truly terrifying."

The white-robed monk on the river, seeing this defiled creature, finally grew angry, his eyes like enraged Vajras. He roared, "By the Buddha Tathagata! You vile creature, why do you not cast yourself four *zhang* nine *chi* into the void?!" With a raised palm, the clouds above descended, and countless golden rays shot through the gaps in the white clouds, illuminating heaven and earth with boundless Buddhist light. Then, the white-robed monk instantly formed three hand seals: Dharma Wheel, Purification of Karma, and Destruction of Sin. In a blink, the long white rainbow vanished into the distance, leaving only a parting phrase: "When this humble monk returns from the Daode Sect, I shall cast you completely into the cycle of reincarnation!"

The shadowy creature curled into a ball, then uncoiled as before, but the eighteen colorful-robed puppets were utterly destroyed. After standing upright, the shadowy creature stiffly twisted its neck. Then, it charged straight at Xu Fengnian. Xu Fengnian was dumbfounded, muttering, "Did I provoke you?"

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