71: Chapter 71 Those who lay down their butcher's knife can instantly become Buddhas.

Du Ku smiled and said, "Benefactor Lu, when you were fighting against us just now, you unintentionally revealed a few miraculous moves. They must be the Ming Cult's guardian technique, the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, right?"

Du Nan took over the conversation, "Back then, we brothers were injured by the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, so naturally, we wouldn't dare forget this divine skill. Rumor has it that only the Leader of the Ming Cult can Cultivate this technique."

Du E added with even more rapport, "Furthermore, Benefactor Lu has resolved the conflict between the Ming Cult and the various sects of the Central Plains with his own strength, and even helped Dharma King Xie out of his predicament. Benefactor Lu must undoubtedly be the Leader of the Ming Cult."

After saying that, the Three Crossing looked at each other and smiled, indeed sharing a common mind. "Martial Nephew Kong Wen, from now on, this Nine Yang Divine Skill will be guarded by the Bodhidharma Patriarchate as our Shaolin's guardian masterpiece. Only those with virtue may Cultivate it."

Kong Wen said respectfully, "I shall obey the decree of the three Junior Martial Uncles. Back then, our Shaolin's Wine-Drinking Divine Monk was proficient in the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic and the Marrow Washing Classic."

"After observing Wang Chongyang's Nine Yin Manual, he integrated the Nine Yin Manual with our Shaolin's Muscle-Tendon Changing and Marrow Washing divine skills to create this Nine Yang Divine Skill, which likely also incorporates the essence of the Muscle-Tendon Changing and Marrow Washing Classics."

"It is only natural for this manual to return to the Bodhidharma Patriarchate."

Lu Chen cupped his hands, "In that case, we shall descend the mountain. I hope you Great Masters will study the Nine Yang Manual of the three schools."

"Merge them back into one as soon as possible to recreate a prosperous age for our Central Plains Martial Forest. When Lu gathers forces to resist the Yuan in the future, I hope Shaolin will provide assistance."

"The green mountains do not change, and the emerald waters flow forever. We shall part ways here."

Unexpectedly, Xie Xun stepped forward at this moment. "Cult Leader, I, Xie Xun, accidentally injured Divine Monk Kongjian. Since I have come to Shaolin today, I ask the Cult Leader to allow me to stay in Shaolin and listen to the scriptures for three years. In the future, when the Cult Leader rises in revolt, Xie Xun will once again contribute to the people of the world to atone for my sins."

Lu Chen didn't expect Xie Xun to make this request. As expected, this Xie Xun is indeed destined for Buddhism.

Before Lu Chen could agree, the Three Crossing said in unison, "Amitabha. If Benefactor Xie truly has this intention, why not follow the three of us and listen to the scriptures?"

Seeing this, Lu Chen said, "Dharma King Xie has such an ambition, so I have no objection. However, you have many enemies. If you retreat into Shaolin, I'm afraid the Shaolin Temple will have no peace from this day forward."

Hearing this, Abbot Kongwen pressed his palms together and chanted a Buddhist name, "Amitabha. It is a great virtue for Benefactor Xie to be willing to put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot. Our Shaolin Temple is a place of quiet cultivation, so naturally, we do not fear the storms of the Jianghu."

Hearing Kong Wen's words, the corners of Lu Chen's mouth curled up slightly, revealing an imperceptible smile.

"That is for the best." Lu Chen nodded. "Dharma King Xie, if I can find that villain Yuan Zhen in the future, I promise you that I will definitely use his eyes to repay the blood debt of your family of thirteen!"

Hearing this, Xie Xun's body shook. "Thank you, Cult Leader." Xie Xun's voice was still low, but it contained a hint of gratitude.

Lu Chen ignored Xie Xun and took a booklet from his robe, handing it to Zhang Cuishan, who was standing nearby.

"Hero Zhang the Fifth," Lu Chen said with a smile, "I promised Wudang that I would merge the three versions of the Nine Yang Divine Skill into one. Now that the Cultivation Technique is complete, we shall part ways today. Third Hero Yu's cultivation of this manual will also be of great benefit to his healing. We... shall also part ways here!"

Zhang Cuishan took the booklet with both hands and bowed deeply to Lu Chen, saying gratefully, "Sect Master Lu's great kindness will never be forgotten by Zhang Cuishan!"

Lu Chen waved his hand, signaling Zhang Cuishan not to be overly polite. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Xie Xun suddenly spoke again.

"Cult Leader," Xie Xun said with a solemn expression, "Please take the dragon slaying saber with you. For the great cause of resisting the Yuan, Xie Xun wishes to use this saber to lend the Cult Leader a helping hand!"

Hearing this, Lu Chen paused and looked back at Xie Xun, a playful glint flashing in his eyes.

"Dharma King Xie, such a Sharp Weapon was originally for your protection. Now that you are in Shaolin, no one in the world can harm you in the slightest. Naturally, you no longer need it." Lu Chen said nonchalantly, as if this priceless dragon slaying saber was nothing more than a piece of scrap metal in his eyes.

"However, if this saber stays by my side, it will naturally be more than safe. In the future, when I go to Persia to retrieve the holy fire order, perhaps this dragon slaying saber will be of some use!"

After saying that, Lu Chen reached out and took the dragon slaying saber, casually slinging it over his shoulder. His posture made it look as if he were carrying a mere fire poker.

Then, Lu Chen turned to the Shaolin crowd and said loudly, "Great Masters, our Cult's Dharma King Xie is now living in seclusion in your noble temple. I hope you all can take good care of him. Additionally... I ask Shaolin to teach the Nine Yang Divine Skill to Dharma King Xie."

Although his tone was polite, it carried a hint of being unquestionable.

Next, Lu Chen looked at Xie Xun and said with a smile, "Dharma King Xie, your Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art originally came from that fellow Cheng Kun."

"I know you hate Cheng Kun in your heart and do not wish to use this skill anymore. Why not... just give this Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art to Shaolin as well? This masterpiece created by Master Padmasambhava of the Esoteric Buddhism will be considered returning to Buddhism once it reaches the hands of the Zen Sect."

Lu Chen paused and continued, "Forget it, in my opinion, you might as well just join the Shaolin Sect and recultivate the Nine Yang Divine Skill. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present had different expressions.

The Shaolin monks looked at each other, not knowing how to respond.

But the Three Crossing's eyes lit up, as if they saw some Opportunity.

Sure enough, before everyone could react, the Three Crossing said in unison, "Amitabha. Excellent, excellent. Benefactor Lu is truly kind-hearted; it is indeed a blessing for our Buddhist sect."

"If that's the case, Benefactor Xie might as well join under the three of us as a Disciple of the Kong Generation."

"You will inherit the mantle of my Martial Nephew Kongjian. It truly is a case of origins and ends of destiny, the whims of fate!"

"If our Shaolin can gain another follower, it would indeed be a stroke of luck for our Shaolin!"

Hearing the words of the Three Crossing, Lu Chen immediately burst into laughter.

"Good! Good! Good!" Lu Chen said "good" three times in a row.

Then he clapped his hands, "Dharma King Xie, it seems you and Shaolin are truly destined! In that case, stay in Shaolin with peace of mind and Cultivate well! In the future, when our cult raises the banner of resisting the Yuan, I will come for you!"

He paused and continued, "If I catch that villain Yuan Zhen in the future, I will definitely make him call you 'Martial Uncle' first, then gouge out his eyes and replace yours with them, so you can see the light again!"

Hearing this, Xie Xun's expression was shaken.

Afterwards, Lu Chen cupped his hands to everyone present again and said loudly, "Everyone, until we meet again!"

With that, he wrapped one arm around the slender waist of Yin Susu, who was standing nearby, and carried the dragon slaying saber in the other.

With a leap, he actually flew directly down the mountain.

His figure was elegant, like an Immortal, weaving through the mountain forests at a speed so fast it was staggering.

And what he used was precisely one of the Shaolin 72 Supreme Arts: Crossing the River on a Reed!

Looking at Lu Chen's departing back, the people present were unable to recover for a long time.

Especially the Shaolin monks, who were even more dumbfounded, their hearts filled with shock.

They never expected that Lu Chen would be able to perform the Shaolin supreme art, Crossing the River on a Reed, so easily, and with such perfection, even achieving the feat of riding the wind... This... even Bodhidharma reborn could not achieve this.

Holding Yin Susu in his arms and carrying the hundred-jin dragon slaying saber on his shoulder...

He's not human.

At this time, Lu Chen had already taken Yin Susu and disappeared into the vast night...