223: Foursome

A strange beast plodded along the main road. Four people sat on its back, drinking and chatting!

If anyone saw this combination of four people, they would truly find it extremely bizarre.

A handsome monk in moon-white robes sat at the western end, while directly opposite him sat an elderly man in Confucian robes with white hair and a white beard, looking quite dignified.

To the south was a young boy with his hair in double buns, looking only eighteen or nineteen years old, who was staring with a puzzled expression at the person sitting opposite him.

That person looked even younger than him, but the boy had heard his name mentioned by his Master since he was a child.

These four were none other than Tang Ku and his companions, who had set out to carry out a mission.

The bald monk was naturally Tang Ku, also known as Tang Sanzang, and the old man was Wei Zheng, the Three Tribunal Official whom he had asked Li Chengqian to invite; he could be considered a great sage of the Confucian school at that time.

This boy was Xingyunzi, who had helped capture Arhat Jiang Long that night. He had followed Yuan Tiangang for many years and possessed sixty or seventy percent of the old man's skills. As for the person opposite him... that studious youth who was holding a pen and calculating something with finger seals was the legendary Nezha.

Such a combination would be eye-catching enough even without the strange beast they were riding.

Therefore, when Tang Ku left the city riding the Brick, he ordered it to fly above the clouds until they reached the Shu Mountain ranges, a place rarely visited by humans. Only then did he let it descend and choose small, untrodden paths.

Later, as they neared their destination, they turned onto the main road. However, no one was traveling there at the time, as the area around this so-called destination had already been cleared out by demons and evil spirits; basically, one couldn't find any living people within a hundred miles.

Old sir, please have another drink...

Tang Ku offered a toast to Wei Zheng, but the old man opposite him wore a bitter expression, waved his hand, and said, "That's enough, that's enough. I can't compare to you young people. I am over seventy this year and cannot handle my liquor; I dare not drink any more!"

Tang Ku laughed and said, "Old sir, you are vigorous for your age. What is there to fear from just this little bit of wine? Although I am an outsider, I have long heard of your reputation. It is a great honor to meet you today. The drinking has only just begun; why are you retreating already!"

Wei Zheng smiled bitterly: "You look completely different from what I heard. I remember Tang Sanzang was a vegetarian from birth!"

"People change; what is strange about that?" Tang Ku laughed. "Before I met you, I thought you must be as fierce and dignified as the Ten Kings of Hell. Who would have thought you are actually such a kind old man!"

Wei Zheng stroked his beard and smiled, "Am I that scary?"

"Well... at least Your Majesty thinks you are very scary!"

Tang Ku laughed, "Haha, alright, no more jokes. This time, to integrate the cultivators across our vast land of China, we must have you take the lead. That is why I asked Your Majesty to invite you out of retirement. To be honest, without you, this trip of mine would likely have some trouble!"

"I am old; can I still be of such great use? That is indeed strange!" Wei Zheng laughed.

"Without ambition, one lives a hundred years in vain. Some people may live a long time, yet they are like a handful of dirt. But you are different; the older you get, the more admirable your virtue becomes..." Tang Ku praised. "Besides, look at our lineup. Can't you guess what I intend to do?"

Wei Zheng glanced at Nezha and Xingyunzi, stroked his beard, and pondered. He then suddenly realized, shook his head helplessly, and said, "Holy Monk, you are thoughtful. To think you wanted to gather the three schools of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism... However, this is the legendary Nezha, who counts as a representative of the Daoist school, and you are the leader of the human Buddhist school, which also counts as one. Although I come from the Confucian school, I do not have much fame, nor can I be considered a great Confucian scholar. Is it not a bit too much of an honor to bring me along?"

"Haha, is a great Confucian scholar defined by fame?" Tang Ku laughed. "You are too modest. Your upright and unyielding character alone is enough to earn the title of 'great Confucian scholar'!"

Wei Zheng smiled, said nothing more, picked up his wine cup, and drank it in one gulp.

It is natural to be happy when someone compliments you, and the old man still had to give Face for this cup of wine.

"Well, even if we have gathered representatives of the three schools of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, what does that have to do with going to Shu Mountain to recruit them?" Xingyunzi asked, puzzled.

"Of course it has to do with it!"

Tang Ku glanced at the rolling mountain range in the distance and suddenly revealed a cold sneer. "With an invitation from the three schools of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, I have given them plenty of Face. Moreover, we represent the imperial power; no matter what, their Sect Head will have to carefully weigh the significance of this. If it weren't for the sake of our shared heritage as descendants of China, I would have just punched them all one by one and been done with it!"

Wei Zheng was startled, then advised, "Holy Monk, your Killing Intent on this trip is so heavy; this does not look like the way to complete a mission."

Tang Ku shook his head and said, "You do not understand the reason behind this. Near Shu Mountain, seven villages and three large towns have already been attacked by some unknown demons and evil spirits, leaving not a single survivor, not even the elderly, weak, women, or children. Are such demons and evil spirits not the very targets that these chivalrous sword immortals should be eliminating? Yet, they sit by and watch the tragedy unfold, completely ignoring it... Actually, while this is called an invitation, it is effectively a mission to hold them accountable. We need not be polite to them when the time comes. If any of them dare to cause trouble, I will dare to deal with them... We have the imperial decree from Your Majesty, and it bears the seal of the imperial jade seal. This mission of touring on behalf of Heaven carries such authority!"

Wei Zheng thought for a moment, then stroked his beard and nodded. "The Holy Monk is right... Well, although I have no martial strength, this mouth of mine still has some capability. Your Majesty has said that this time, your decision is final. If there is anywhere you need me, just ask."

This Master Wei never dragged his feet when doing things, so he was always direct in his speech.

Tang Ku nodded. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly frowned, twitched his nose, and looked up toward the northwest.

Nezha also suddenly sensed something at this moment and looked in the same direction.

The Third Prince frowned slightly and said to Tang Ku, "Holy Monk, can you feel it?"

"Yes, a very thick Evil Qi, almost materializing..." Tang Ku said in a deep voice, "It seems that a great many people have died in this town..."

Wei Zheng was a Mortal and did not have the ability to sense Evil Qi. Xingyunzi, who was beside them, asked curiously, "You can all sense the Evil Qi, why can't I? Well, although it feels very strange!"

"Then what can you sense?" Nezha suddenly glanced at him teasingly.

Xingyunzi tilted his head and pondered, "Well, nothing much, it's just... it's just that I seem to always be able to smell a hint of blood, concentrated but not dissipating, yet it is also faint and elusive!"

Tang Ku said in a deep voice, "That is it. This is Evil Qi. You have not yet entered the Dao, so your sensing is not obvious. If it were your Master, he would have noticed it long ago!"

"The only plan now is to go to that town first and see what exactly is causing this!" Although Wei Zheng was a Mortal, he was surprisingly unafraid at this moment, and a cold light even flashed in his eyes!