TVWHC Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 

Su Ran grinned maliciously at Ji Chun, reaching out a slender finger to lift Ji Chun’s chin. Watching those damp, thin lips part slightly, he could vaguely sense a strange flicker of pleasure in Ji Chun’s expression.

 

“Hey! Bald donkey, tell me, after eating that stuff, do you think the Buddha will still listen when you chant scriptures? Huh? Hahahahaha…” Su Ran threw his head back and laughed smugly, taking the opportunity to undo Ji Chun’s acupoint. He was now eager to hear what the monk would say.

 

“Cough, cough… ugh…” As soon as Ji Chun’s acupoint was released, he quickly lowered his head, coughing violently to expel the filthy things from his mouth. The force of the coughing caused his entire body to tremble uncontrollably, as if his tongue would be hacked out from the spasms. After bending over and coughing for so long, his blood vessels swelled, blue veins bulged, and his entire form appeared twisted and devastated.

 

Finally recovering, he lifted his face slightly, glaring coldly at the man before him. He etched the man’s features and form deeply into his memory. If he was fortunate enough to leave here alive, he would rid the world of this great evil!

 

“Get away!” Seeing Su Ran approach again, Ji Chun’s body trembled faintly from anger, and it seemed that at any moment, he would break free of the ropes and lunge at him. He had always been calm and composed, never harboring hatred toward anyone. Yet now, it had only been less than half a month since descending the mountain, and in just two days, this single person had stirred within him such murderous rage. Reason told him not to lose his temper, but at this point, he had already forgotten the “Amitabha” he silently recited in his heart…

 

Su Ran wasn’t angry. The victorious smile still clung to his face. The angrier Ji Chun got, the more pleased he became. Right now, he found it all quite amusing. Humiliating a monk like this—how much more fun it was than taking his life!

 

Bang!

The ropes snapped and scattered into pieces in the air. Ji Chun suddenly leapt up from the chair, eyes blazing with boundless fury as he launched an attack straight at Su Ran.

 

Fortunately, Su Ran’s reflexes were swift. He dodged the monk’s powerful strike just in time, dropping the smirk and returning to his cold, indifferent demeanor. Gathering his internal energy, he prepared to injure the monk within a few rounds. But unexpectedly, within a single night, this monk’s skills had improved drastically. Every time Su Ran’s poison acted up, his internal power diminished. Facing even a mere monk today had become strenuous! This realization made him more irritable, and his attacks grew increasingly vicious.

 

Once free from his restraints, Ji Chun and Su Ran engaged in a fierce fight. Blow for blow, neither gained the upper hand. The fury in Ji Chun’s heart gradually subsided amidst the breathtaking combat, replaced by a trace of doubt. Yesterday, their skill levels were worlds apart. Even with a one-rank increase overnight, he still shouldn’t be able to match this man. Why had Su Ran’s strength deteriorated so much today?

 

The battle raged on for more than an hour. The room looked as if it had been through a cataclysm—nothing was left intact. Suddenly, Su Ran tilted his head toward the open window. Ji Chun instinctively followed his gaze, wary of deception. Through the window, he saw faint wisps of red smoke drifting in the distant sky. In a flash, Su Ran whipped out his weapon, aiming at Ji Chun. As Ji Chun dodged, Su Ran seized the chance to leap out the window.

 

Ji Chun wanted to give chase but, considering the current situation, had to give up. His mouth still felt nauseatingly filthy. He quickly went outside to call for water to rinse his mouth. The inn’s attendant had just stepped into the room when he began shouting:

 

“Whoa—hey you bald monk, are you trying to tear the place down?! Do you know how expensive all this stuff is?! You have to pay! You have to pay!”

 

“Amitabha, this is the poor monk’s fault.” Ji Chun pressed his palms together, acknowledging his wrongdoing. Fortunately, his junior brother had stuffed some silver notes into his bundle, or he truly wouldn’t know how to settle this. He handed over the money to the attendant and bowed again. “I’ve truly offended you, blessings upon you, blessings…”

 

Seeing that the shabby-looking monk was quite generous, the attendant’s attitude immediately softened and turned respectful. “Well, I must’ve been blind earlier. Master, do you need anything else?”

 

Ji Chun paid no attention to the man’s flip-flopping attitude and maintained the compassionate, silent demeanor of a high monk. “Would the benefactor kindly fetch me some clean water?”

 

“Yes, yes, right away! I’ll get it now!” The attendant nodded and scurried downstairs.

 

Even after rinsing over a dozen times, Ji Chun still felt a lingering filth in his mouth. But he remembered his ongoing mission and could only suppress his disgust and resume his journey.

 

Over the next few days, he remained highly alert, fearing the return of that man. But half a month passed, and Su Ran never showed again.

 

Jizhou.

Ji Chun looked up at a massive stone stele at the foot of the bridge ahead. Carved into it were two characters: “Jizhou.” He nodded to himself, relieved to have arrived on time. After asking for directions to the Tiangang Sect, he continued on his way.

 

The Tiangang Sect was located at the foot of Hui Mountain, southeast of Jizhou. Guarding the steep and towering mountain, the sect had flourished since its founding hundreds of years ago.

 

The current head of the Tiangang Sect, Xu Zhen, was known for his modesty and integrity. He held great renown in the martial world and had long maintained close ties with the Wulin Alliance’s leader, the Ouyang family. Rumor had it that the two were sworn brothers. Recently, the Ouyang family suffered a great calamity. The only surviving young master was now under Xu Zhen’s care. Xu had publicly vowed to avenge his sworn brother Ouyang Gang and uncover the true culprit. The incident shocked the entire martial world, prompting sects from all over to visit Jizhou in search of the truth—lest they, too, fall victim.

 

Walking along the mountain path, Ji Chun grew thirsty and sat down in the shade to rest, sipping from his waterskin. Suddenly, he heard the sounds of a fight in the distance. From the voices, it sounded like three people were ganging up on one. The outnumbered one didn’t seem particularly skilled. Driven by the instinct to save a life—greater than building a seven-tiered pagoda—Ji Chun quickly packed up and headed toward the sound.

 

“Do you know who I am, huh?!”

A youth of fifteen or sixteen, bruised and battered, snarled at the three men surrounding him.

 

“Don’t care who you are! Come quietly or we’ll beat the skin off ya!” The leader barked, clearly trying not to actually harm the boy—just threatening him.

 

Spotting the monk, the youth immediately shouted, “Master! Master! Help me!”

 

Ji Chun glanced at the boy indifferently, then turned to the three men. “Amitabha. Gentlemen, could you spare this young one for the poor monk’s sake? Whatever the grudge, let us speak it clearly.”

 

“Damn monk! What’s your face worth—ten taels? Pompous fool! Brothers, get him! Kill this meddling monk and grab the kid!”

Spitting on the ground, the man raised his weapon and lunged at Ji Chun.

 

But their skills were average. Before they even got close, they were already groaning on the ground, begging for mercy.

 

“Spare us, Master! We didn’t recognize greatness… we were wrong…”

 

Ji Chun, impassive, simply waved them off. As they fled, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. The face of that man suddenly flashed in his mind. His brows furrowed instinctively, and the water he had just drunk surged back up—he almost vomited. Thankfully, he managed to suppress it in time, preserving his dignity.

 

With the danger gone, the boy dropped his mischievous demeanor and bowed respectfully. “Thank you for saving my life, Master. My name is Xue Yao. May I ask where you are headed?”

 

“No need for thanks, benefactor. This poor monk is on his way to the Tiangang Sect to visit Sect Leader Xu.” Ji Chun returned the gesture with palms together.

 

“Ah!” The boy clapped, as if recalling something. “You must be from Shaolin—Master Huikong’s disciple, right?”

 

Ji Chun nodded. “Master Huikong is my teacher.”

 

“Then… you’re here to deliver the medicine, right?”

 

“And you are?” Ji Chun asked calmly, already guessing.

 

“I’m the one they call the Miracle Doctor Xue.”

The boy grinned cheerfully. He hadn’t expected to run into a Shaolin envoy while out playing—and even meet a heroic big brother earlier that day. He kept this thought to himself.

 

Ji Chun felt admiration for the youth, already hailed as a divine doctor at such a young age.

 

“We’re heading the same way. Why not travel together?” Xue Yao suggested.

 

“Very well.”

 

At the Tiangang Sect gates, two disciples spotted Xue Yao and rushed over.

 

“Divine Doctor Xue, you’re back?”

 

“Mm. This is Master Ji Chun of the Shaolin Temple.” Xue Yao introduced him.

 

“Greetings, Master. I am Bai Wu, and this is Hao Wen.”

The taller youth stepped forward respectfully.

 

After a brief exchange, Bai Wu led Ji Chun to see Sect Leader Xu. Learning that Xu Zhen had gone out and wouldn’t return until morning, Ji Chun accepted Bai Wu’s invitation to stay, realizing it would be improper to leave without meeting the host, especially when the Ouyang young master’s condition remained unclear. He couldn’t return to the temple with an incomplete report.

 

Bai Wu instructed a junior disciple to prepare a room in a quiet courtyard for Ji Chun. The disciple was respectful and attentive, and soon departed.

 

Ji Chun preferred tranquility. The secluded courtyard seemed chosen with that in mind. He opened his bundle, took out a scripture, and found a suitable spot to sit and meditate.

 

Night fell—around dinnertime, a knock sounded at the door. Knock, knock, knock…

 

He got up and opened the door. Two disciples stood there holding meal boxes. Ji Chun quickly invited them in, inwardly sighing at how considerate the Tiangang Sect was toward guests.

 

Before he could speak, the two pressed their palms together and bowed respectfully.

“Master Ji Chun, Eldest Senior Brother ordered us to bring you some vegetarian food. If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

 

“Amitabha, thank you, benefactors.” Ji Chun offered his gratitude.

 

After that, the two left, and the room was once again quiet, leaving him alone.

 

Just as he was about to sit down and eat, he heard footsteps approaching from the courtyard outside. Faintly, he could still hear the two disciples conversing as they drew closer to his room.