The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun

Page 586

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Since our parting in Wuwei Prefecture, your temple has announced the closure of the mountain. I wonder what the reason is. I was worried that your temple might have some unspeakable difficulties, so I came to take a look."

Upon hearing this, Fang Sheng quickly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Heavenly Venerable. Our temple is closed due to some internal reasons, and there are no other unspeakable difficulties."

Fang Sheng said.

Jiang Ning nodded and then asked, "May I visit the temple?"

"Heavenly Venerable, please."

Fang Sheng made a gesture as if to welcome Jiang Ning into the temple.

Jiang Ning didn't stand on ceremony, walking ahead with his hands behind his back, followed by Fang Sheng.

Jiang Ning walked around the temple, looking left and right.

This was his first time visiting Shaolin Temple.

Jiang Ning inquired, "I heard that Master Fangzheng was injured during the great battle with Ren Woxing in Wuwei Prefecture. I wonder how Master Fangzheng's injury is now? If it has not improved, I can do my best to help."

“My abbot brother was indeed injured in the battle with Ren Woxing. He is still recuperating and is now out of danger. Thank you for your concern, Heavenly Venerable.”

Jiang Ning nodded and said nothing more.

Fang Sheng continued, "Since the Heavenly Venerable has come to visit our temple, this humble monk has already sent a novice to inform the abbot. Please wait a moment, Heavenly Venerable."

"It doesn't matter."

Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head.

While the novice monk was announcing the arrival of the monk, Jiang Ning strolled around the temple. Fang Sheng followed behind, acting as a tour guide, explaining and introducing the temple's architecture and history to Jiang Ning, who nodded from time to time.

"Speaking of which, when I was traveling around the world before, I always heard about the past of a high monk, and I admired him very much. Later, I heard that the high monk came from Shaolin. I wonder if that high monk is still alive?"

Fang Sheng didn't know what Jiang Ning meant, but he subconsciously became wary and asked cautiously.

"Whom is the Celestial Venerable referring to?"

"Wonderful Awakening".

Jiang Ning then revealed the name he had learned from Bu Jie.

Fang Sheng remained expressionless, but was inwardly terrified.

How would he know this person?

Fang Sheng's mind was thrown into turmoil by those two words, and cold sweat was clearly visible on his forehead. He didn't know how to respond.

Jiang Ning just smiled and looked at him.

Just as Fang Sheng had lost the ability to think and didn't know how to answer, the novice monk ran quickly from afar.

"Heavenly Venerable, Abbot, please come."

The arrival of the novice monk relieved Fang Sheng, but he still kept a wary eye on Jiang Ning.

"Thank you for your help, young man."

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded, as if he had just asked casually and didn't care about Fang Sheng's answer, and then left with the little monk.

Fang Sheng stood still, his expression changing, before turning and leaving.

Chapter 796: The End

The young novice led Jiang Ning to the outside of Fang Zheng's meditation room and greeted Jiang Ning with his hands clasped together.

"The abbot is inside. Please come in, Heavenly Venerable."

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded, then stepped into the house.

Upon entering the room, Jiang Ning indeed saw Fang Zheng sitting cross-legged on a futon.

"Master Fang Zheng, it's been a long time. I hope you're well."

Jiang Ning smiled.

Fang Zheng, his face deeply lined with wrinkles, looked at Jiang Ning and bowed respectfully.

"This humble monk Fangzheng greets the Heavenly Venerable."

"This humble monk is unwell and unable to perform the proper rites. Please forgive me, Heavenly Venerable."

Ok?

Jiang Ning noticed that something was wrong with Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng's voice was hoarse, and although his complexion was rosy, it could not hide his weakness.

It seemed as if his life was about to end.

Noticing Fang Zheng's condition, Jiang Ning narrowed his eyes slightly.

Was Fang Zheng seriously injured after his battle with Ren Woxing?

Putting aside his doubts, Jiang Ning smiled.

“The abbot is a senior and renowned figure in the martial arts world; there’s no need for such formalities.”

Regardless of Fang Zheng's condition, Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng began their conversation.

……

While Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng were talking, Fang Sheng also rushed over with many old monks.

However, when Fang Zheng and the others arrived, the door to the meditation room was already closed, leaving only a young novice monk guarding it outside.

broken!

I'm late?

Fang Sheng was startled and quickly stepped forward to the young novice monk. Before the novice monk could bow, he hurriedly spoke.

"How long has Jiang Ning been inside?"

The young novice monk didn't know why Fang Sheng was so nervous, but he still said, "He's been inside for a quarter of an hour."

Fang Sheng's expression changed drastically. He quickly focused his attention, held his breath, and listened intently until he heard faint conversations. Only then did Fang Sheng breathe a sigh of relief.

Fortunately.

Fang Sheng thought to himself.

If there is sound, it means nothing bad has happened yet, and there is still time.

Fang Sheng looked at the other old monks, who all had the same expression. Their bodies, hidden beneath their robes, were on high alert, ready to guard against any unexpected events in the meditation room.

……

Jiang Ning, who was talking to Fang Zheng, also heard the commotion outside. He stopped talking and smiled.

Fang Zheng remained expressionless and said, "This humble monk is injured. Fang Sheng and the others were worried about my health, which is why they were waiting outside. Please forgive them, Heavenly Venerable."

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded.

"Human nature."

Ignoring the matter, Jiang Ning continued, "Where was I?"

"Oh, by the way, I was wondering if Master Miaojue of your temple is still alive?"

Jiang Ning asked with a smile.

Fang Zheng's complexion did not change, but there was a noticeable pause.

……

Despite listening intently to the faint sounds of conversation coming from inside the meditation room, Fang Sheng outside could not make out the content of Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng's conversation.

However, what is somewhat reassuring is that no accidents have occurred inside.

However, Fang Sheng and the others did not dare to be careless. They prepared outside so that they could rush into the house immediately if anything happened inside.

After a long time.

Jiang Ning walked out of the meditation room, and Fang Sheng and the other Shaolin monks outside looked at him with nervous expressions.

From the moment Jiang Ning entered the meditation room, they were afraid that the abbot's screams would suddenly erupt from inside, and they were prepared to rush in at any moment. However, after so much time, it remained calm inside, with only faint sounds of conversation. Only when Jiang Ning came out did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

"Since the master is unwell and your temple is closed, it is not appropriate for me to continue to disturb you. I will take my leave now."

Before leaving the meditation room, Jiang Ning smiled and said something to the person inside, and Fang Zheng's voice followed.

"Celestial Venerable, please wait."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly and walked out of the meditation room. He glanced at Fang Sheng and the others outside the door and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"Master Fang Sheng,"

Fang Sheng didn't know what Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng had discussed inside, but seeing that Jiang Ning didn't seem to have any intention of causing a big fuss after coming out, and that Fang Zheng seemed to be alright inside, Fang Sheng finally felt relieved and put his hands together in prayer.

"Farewell, Lord."

The other old monks also put their palms together in respect.

"Farewell, Lord."

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded, then left.

Fang Sheng escorted Jiang Ning out of the temple until Jiang Ning was out of sight, then hurriedly returned to Fang Zheng's meditation room.

As Fang Sheng approached the door, he was about to knock when Fang Zheng's voice came from inside.

"come in."

Fang Sheng paused for a moment, then opened the door and entered the meditation room.

……

Jiang Ning left Shaolin Temple without lingering and went straight back to Mount Hua.

When Jiang Ning returned to Mount Hua, he found that Yue Buqun was not there. After being informed by his disciples, he learned that Yue Buqun had gone to Hanzhong and Xi'an to take care of the affairs of the Mount Hua Sect.

Now that the Huashan Sect is growing stronger and has more manpower, Yue Buqun plans to establish Huashan Sect businesses in several prefectures to maintain the operation of the Huashan Sect, while also laying out an intelligence network.

While he's busy with these matters, Yue Buqun will have some time before returning.

Jiang Ning wasn't in a hurry.

Although the sect recently underwent an expansion, there wasn't much to do, so Jiang Ning simply focused on his own affairs and concentrated on creating his own cultivation method.

Several days later, Yue Buqun returned to Mount Hua and immediately went to his residence in Jiangning.

"Ning'er."

Hearing the shouts outside, Jiang Ning got up and went outside.

"When did Master return?"

Jiang Ning asked in surprise.

"just came back."

Yue Buqun responded with a question, then immediately asked, "What happened after you went to Shaolin Temple last time?"

Yue Buqun's face showed urgency.

"what happened?"

Jiang Ning was surprised.

Yue Buqun frowned.

"Something has happened at Shaolin Temple."

While in Hanzhong Prefecture, Yue Buqun had already received the news that was spreading like wildfire in the martial arts world.

Shaolin Temple was hit by a sudden plague some time ago, which killed a large number of Shaolin disciples and high-ranking monks.

Even Fang Zheng and Fang Sheng have passed away.

Such a momentous event, coming from Shaolin, shook the entire martial arts world, and spread throughout the region in a very short time.

Upon receiving this news, Yue Buqun instinctively felt something was amiss, especially since the outbreak of the plague at Shaolin occurred not long after his visit to Shaolin in Jiangning, suggesting a connection between the two events.

Yue Buqun then rushed back from Hanzhong Prefecture to inquire what had happened.