A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 90 - 89: Unable to Attain Buddhahood, Thus a Demon’s Heart is Born

The horse-faced man named Jiang Liu was originally a direct disciple at a martial arts hall in the Outer City. Unfortunately, his master had no outstanding skills and their signboard was smashed. To make a living, he went to fight in the ring and ended up dying on stage.

Jiang Liu's martial prowess was mediocre, barely grasping the level of Qi and blood, sufficient only to bully some undernourished farmers.

So, avenging his master was out of the question. Buying a cheap coffin to contain the body, preventing it from being thrown into a mass grave eaten by wild dogs, was considered repaying the favor of having been taught.

In the Outer City, there were seventeen or eighteen streets lined with martial arts halls just like his master's, which couldn't keep their doors open and were as numerous as cattle in the field.

Therefore, Jiang Liu had an idea and began privately selling martial arts skills, specifically targeting fishermen and woodsmen who couldn't afford to join a martial arts hall, selling them at a price of a few hundred cents, peddling books on martial arts and body techniques.

He focused on the low-end market, aiming for small profits and quick turnover.

He collected some low-level skills from martial arts halls that were closing down, and then exaggerated their effectiveness to those naive laborers, earning a profit in between, living rather comfortably.

At least in the Outer City, he didn't have to toil under the sun or rain, nor did he have to sell himself to work for the three major families as a slave. He had a few taels of silver coming in steadily every month, which was utterly comfortable.

"You are Bai Ah... Master Qi? Good heavens, Master Bai Qi, did you achieve that excellent swimming skill with the Eight Sect Skill?"

Jiang Liu widened his eyes, looking at Bai Qi, who was wearing a blood-stained robe and standing upright, completely in disbelief.

He knew what kind of stuff he was selling in terms of martial arts. He couldn't be unaware?

They were all low-level tricks!

Even if there were one or two decent ones... pondering them behind closed doors wouldn't amount to anything significant.

There's a saying in the martial arts circles, "The master leads you to the door, but practice is up to you."

But first, you need a master, and then you have to cross that threshold.

Only then can you talk about "practice."

"What's going on, haven't you trained? I recall you pounding your chest, telling me that the Eight Sect Skill was exceptional, and you intended to sell it to me for four hundred cents."

Bai Qi seemed to smile but not, staring at the horse-faced Jiang Liu, who looked embarrassed, forcing a laugh:

"Oh, open door trade, exaggeration is unavoidable.

Besides, on the day your fish stall opened, you dived into the Black Water River and fought to catch a twenty-jin golden rainbow trout. Who didn't know about it? Everyone praised that the Dragon King had blessed you, calling you the 'Wave-Riding White Flood Dragon'!

Evidently, the Eight Sect Skill is indeed extraordinary; otherwise, how could you have developed such excellent swimming skills..."

Bai Qi wasn't bothered, just laughed it off. He had no intention of pursuing it. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

If it weren't for Xiaotou guiding him, if it weren't for buying the Eight Sect Skill with three hundred eighty cents, his path in martial arts might not have been smooth.

As Jiang Liu brought over a low stool and handed over a coarse porcelain bowl filled with clean water, Bai Qi lifted his eyelids, looking at the crippled black skinny man:

"Practitioners are indeed tough; even with a broken hand and bones shattered into fragments, you can still be lively."

Such an injury would have left an ordinary person long dead from excessive bleeding.

"You still don't know who you've offended! Heh heh, I have a binding oath with my brothers, life and death entrusted, sharing hardships together!

Today you kill me and Tiger, it's akin to owing a blood debt for two lives, and someone will surely come to collect one day!"

The black skinny man was rather gritty, sticking out his neck like a grass snake with its tendons removed, raising his head and crawling.

"Do you believe that? If you were truly like brothers, why did you flee just now, planning to endure until your next life, waiting until I die of old age?"

Bai Qi sneered lightly in a flat tone:

"I ask, you answer. Speak excessively, and not to mention both hands, even three legs won't be safe."

The black skinny man intended to keep up the pretense of a tough hero for a while longer. However, seeing Bai Qi rise and pick up an axe for chopping wood, his expression changed:

"Little brother, ask whatever you want, and I guarantee I'll tell you everything I know without reservation."

Bai Qi sat on the low stool, propping his hands on the axe, casting a glance at the horse-faced Jiang Liu.

The latter was taken aback, thinking this is my home; must I be driven away?

"Master Qi, I'll step outside for a bit. Are you hungry, need me to bring back some marinated foods? There's a shop on the corner of this street that makes them authentically."

Jiang Liu bent over, smiling ingratiatingly.

"Know the Songshan Sect? Go find someone named Xiaotou and bring him over, I have a few words for him."

Bai Qi casually brought out a string of coins, tossing it to Jiang Liu, who showed a gleeful expression:

"Since you've heard of my reputation, you should understand the consequences of taking my money and not doing the job, or having any crooked thoughts.

The young masters of the Fishery and Chai Market are both acquaintances of mine. I also have some connections with the Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall, the Divine Hand Sect, and the Broken Blade Sect."

Jiang Liu's face tightened, suddenly feeling that the string of coins in his hand was burning hot, and he bowed lower:

"I understand the severity. Upon leaving this door, before I meet Brother Xiaotou whom you wish to speak with, I won't utter a word."

...

...

Outer City, Xinyi Street.

The heavy purse landed on the table, and He Zhong lifted his chin with a proud expression:

"Today, my godfather Yang Meng's family is holding a funeral and burial, and he wants a grand ceremony, making it lively."

Tea Master accompanied with a smile and asked:

"How about the eighteen matrons of mourning? All in white, wailing and mourning, with escorts, pallbearers, and mourners, over fifty people in total, the display will absolutely suffice."

He Zhong was noncommittal and didn't seem too concerned:

"This is the down payment. If it pleases my godfather, there will be plenty of reward silver afterward."

After giving a few instructions, he leisurely returned to the Yang Residence on Duijin Street with his hands behind his back.

White lanterns hung high at the entrance, the wind blew fallen leaves, and the chilling, desolate atmosphere contrasted sharply with the lively bustle of the temple fair, like the netherworld versus the realm of the living.

"Humph, in a few days, there will be another funeral to arrange."

He Zhong squinted his eyes; he had already learned Yang Meng's Tiger Crane Ten Extremes Hand. After Yangquan was buried, it would be time to send off that old fool too.

Inside the grand residence, it was quiet. Walking through the cloister in the backyard, He Zhong felt as though he was inspecting his own domain, with a sense of satisfaction.

The vast family property would soon carry the surname "He."

The owner gets the lion's share, but some leftovers are still a significant windfall.

Especially through this job, winning the master's recognition promises a boundless future.

By that time, joining the Fishery's guard and becoming a commander could indeed bring glory to the ancestors.

"Godfather..."

He Zhong turned into the courtyard arranged as a mourning hall, where the coffin was placed, only to see Yang Meng, clad in mourning clothes, striding forward, almost colliding with him.

"That Tiger Crane Ten Extremes Hand, is there anything you don't understand?"

Yang Meng's eyelids squinted slightly, making He Zhong inexplicably nervous, as if being stared down by a fierce tiger about to become a meal.

"God...father, I'm a bit unclear on that move 'Eye Plucking,' how to exert force..."

"I'll show you, watch closely. Pinch your thumb and forefinger tightly. Many punching and kicking techniques use eye-plucking, but most use the index and middle fingers, which are easily blocked..."

Yang Meng's waist twisted like a snake, bringing up a fierce wind. He Zhong, looking up, felt a rush of Evil Qi and couldn't help but blink.

"Ah!"

In the next moment, two fingers clawed forward and ripped out two ruined eyeballs!

Before He Zhong could let out a more tragic scream, Yang Meng swung an arm horizontally, clamping down on his neck, unleashing force like thunderfire, piercing through sinew and flesh, ending his life.

"Did you see clearly? This is how you use the Tiger Crane Ten Extremes Hand!"

Yang Meng released the limp corpse, kicking it aside like a dead dog, and looked up at the blood-red edge of the burning sky:

"Master? Yang Meng has sent you a big gift, to fulfill the last bit of master-servant affection."

...

...

In the Inner City of Black River County, major restaurants and shops were adorned with lanterns and decorations, and the streets were crowded with pedestrians.

Even as evening approached, there were still plenty of vendors and peddlers shouting, setting up stalls for various snacks and foods, attracting the families of wealthy households passing by.

A thousand years after Taoist Confucianism declined, many old etiquettes were abandoned. There were many women practicing martial arts and roaming the Jianghu; rarely were there young ladies who never stepped foot beyond their homes, adhering to the convention of staying hidden before marriage.

It's said that an Immortal Master from Celestial Water Prefecture, draped in purple sash, is a Kun Dao.

Donglai Tower, second-floor elegant room.

An iron-tower-like, burly man sat boldly, despite the approaching cold winter, with his clothes open wide, revealing a chest full of coarse black hair, resembling a bear gone spirit.

"Fifth boss, the arrangements within the city are almost complete. Once Yang Meng takes the coffin out onto the street, it'll just take setting a couple of fires in the outer city, agitating the forced laborers to follow and attack the city… this deal will be considered done!"

A rotund man, dressed as a wealthy merchant, entered the private room, bowing with respect:

"We've heard there are plenty of experts in Black River County, like bears, eagles, tigers, and leopards? All widely renowned?"

The burly man's smile was playful, as though ready to feast:

"What quality?"

Disguised as a wealthy merchant, the Red Eyebrow Bandit mixed into Black River County with the cargo ship, utilizing connections in the marketplace to gather information:

"The most formidable one is Ninghai Zen, who once caused a storm in Yihai Prefecture. He's referred to as the 'Instructor,' but he's not in the county.

Our troops are strong, with three of the bossmen here, the remaining few are no cause for concern."

The burly man slowly chewed over the name "Ninghai Zen," speaking slowly:

"During the battle at Chaotian Sect back then, I wasn't present and didn't witness his prowess firsthand, but he's been mythologized, routing thousands, slaying the eldest brother and cutting down the Red Eyebrow Banner."

The merchant's greasy face moved slightly:

"Heh, the Demon King is on Longkang Mountain, ready to devour Thunder Fire and molt and ascend, just waiting for the blood offering we provide.

Even the Four Cultivation Grandmasters would have to retreat when faced with it."

The burly man laughed heartily and then mocked himself:

"After this incident, not only are we great bandits who rob and pillage, we've become traitors colluding with demons!

Ten years ago, the Red Eyebrow Bandit raised that banner claiming to act on behalf of the heavens, but it's now deeply buried!"

The merchant licked his lips, faint blue-black scales emerging on his cheeks:

"Since the eldest boss died at Ninghai Zen's hands, the Red Eyebrows scattered, and the Pai Bang issued a bounty, offering fifty taels of silver for our leader's head, driving those ghostwriters mad with pursuit.

The Daoist officials also issued Sea Arrest Documents, posting them everywhere, forcing brothers to hide in desolate places, even pretending to be beast-like calamities to avoid attracting the attention of the County City.

If we keep hiding, there's truly no way to live."

The burly man bared a mouthful of sharp white teeth:

"Second brother always said, there's no peace in the three realms, like living in a fire-prone house! The eldest brother wanted to carve out a living path for the lowly laborers of Yihai Prefecture, but alas... fate has its own plans."

He swiped his fingers across his brows, letting the cinnabar-like red ink drip like blood, staining red.

"In this life, becoming Buddha is impossible, and being human is hard; all that's left is to be bandits, then demons.

The infamous Eight-armed Ape among the Red Eyebrow Bandits! It deserves to resound once more!"