Chapter 512: Chapter 118: Vajra of Supreme Joy

Chen Tang heard the news and didn’t have many other thoughts, just worried about Ye Yushi’s safety, unsure about the severity of her injury and her current status.

Ye Yushi’s injury this time was ultimately caused by his faked death.

Fortunately, they’re in Yizhou now, so he’ll inquire about Ba Mountain Sword Sect’s location later and go over to check on her.

On one hand, to visit and see how her injury is.

On the other hand, to ease her worries and tell her he’s not dead.

Otherwise, after recovering, she might descend the mountain to trouble He Shiyao.

"Speaking of which, by the end of the year, the first places for the Martial Arts Assembly, the Wind and Cloud Ranking, the Human Ranking, and the Earth Ranking are almost determined."

"Indeed, if nothing unexpected happens, the first in the Wind and Cloud Ranking should be ’Sword-Hiding Scholar’ Shen Zhiyuan, the first in the Human Ranking will be the Vajra of Supreme Joy from the Esoteric Sect, and the first in the Earth Ranking remains ’Young Master Yushan’ He Shiyao."

"I heard that in a few days, the Vajra of Supreme Joy will be selecting a bride at the Da Kong Temple. Tsk tsk, the monks of the Esoteric Sect certainly know how to indulge."

"The cultivation technique of the Esoteric Sect indeed has its unique aspects. Even with such indulgence and excess, they can maintain battle capability. It’s truly unimaginable."

Someone joked, "Hehe, if you don’t understand, don’t talk nonsense. It’s not about indulgence; it’s all about the Empowerment Method, helping women ascend to Paradise..."

Another person said, "It’s said that this master is the reincarnation of Vajra, with a body trained to perfection, invincible and immune to blade and spear. Over a month ago, a Third Grade Martial Artist tried to assassinate him but was severely wounded by him!"

When the crowd heard mention of ’Vajra of Supreme Joy,’ Changsun He frowned, a hint of disgust flashing across his face.

Chen Tang also listened with some puzzlement.

Among the Five Precepts of Buddhism, one is to abstain from sexual misconduct, yet the monks of the Esoteric Sect are selecting brides?

He only shares some karma with the Buddhist Sect. He knows little about the Xiling Secret Sect.

Back then, at the Xinping Zen Temple in Beiqian, he did have a bout with an Esoteric Monk.

"Speaking of which, Chen Tang also has a body trained to perfection, physically strong, with powerful bloodline. If not dead, he would’ve had a chance to compete for the top spot of the Human Ranking and duel with that ’Vajra of Supreme Joy.’"

"He surely has no chance of winning. Don’t be fooled by his victories over several Third Grade experts. Although his battle record seems good, I know from reliable sources that he had Shen Zhiyuan and Su Li by his side as helpers during those times."

In fact, Chen Tang defeated numerous Third Grade Martial Artists along the way, including seven Earth Ranking experts, mostly in solo combats.

But only the insiders know the details, and others are unaware.

Those Third Grade Martial Artists and Earth Ranking experts defeated by Chen Tang naturally felt ashamed to mention it.

Later, when people heard that Chen Tang, Shen Zhiyuan, and Su Li traveled together, they subconsciously assumed that the three joined forces to defeat many Third Grade Martial Artists.

Chen Tang, Changsun He, and the others listened for a while longer. By then, the unloading of goods was almost complete.

The group rose, ready to transport the goods and leave, heading to Yizhou City.

Chen Tang inquired about the location of the Ba Mountain Sword Sect from Changsun He.

To reach Ba Mountain Sword Sect, one must pass through Yizhou City, which is on the way.

Thinking of an old friend, Chen Tang decided to visit him in Yizhou City.

Back then, he and Tan Wujiu fought their way out of Longpan County to the riverside, after which Chen Tang returned while Tan Wujiu followed the Changsun family’s vessel across Xiajiang, reaching Nanxia.

After just asking Changsun He, he learned that Tan Wujiu was now in a Sun family shop in Yizhou City.

However, upon mentioning Tan Wujiu, Changsun He hesitated, as if there was more to it.

Chen Tang didn’t pursue the matter but kept it in mind, planning to discuss it after seeing Tan Wujiu.

From the riverside dock, they followed the official road towards Yizhou City.

Yizhou is also part of Great Xia, but its terrain and features are completely different from those of the two Wu and Yue provinces.

This area is mountainous, primarily consisting of rugged terrain with many peaks and valleys, often subject to ’earthquake’ disasters.

Fortunately, along the way, they encountered no Green Forest Bandits, and it was relatively peaceful.

Within a day, Chen Tang and the group finally arrived in Yizhou City.

Upon entering the city, the group headed directly to the Sun family shop.

Chen Tang also saw Tan Wujiu.

This meeting differed somewhat from what Chen Tang had imagined.

Tan Wujiu was in a state of emaciation, lying in bed, his entire body wrapped in bandages, his complexion pale, very weak, obviously seriously injured.

Upon seeing Changsun He bring a strange middle-aged man, Tan Wujiu merely nodded weakly.

It was only after Chen Tang removed the human skin mask from his face that Tan Wujiu’s eyes sparkled, his spirits lifted slightly, and he tried to struggle to sit up.

Chen Tang quickly stepped forward and pressed him back down.

"You, you came!"

Tan Wujiu’s lips trembled slightly as he spoke a few words.

Though he had once given up everything to save Chen Tang, he still harbored some guilt in his heart when facing Chen Tang, due to the death of Cai Yin.

Perhaps this guilt would accompany him for the rest of his life.

Chen Tang made a simple check.

Tan Wujiu was gravely injured, with many bones not merely broken but shattered, and his organs were bleeding.

Chen Tang gently rolled up Tan Wujiu’s pant leg and saw a clear bruise in the shape of a hand seal on his left ankle.

The entire ankle had been completely crushed.

This person had a tremendous grip!

Such a severe injury, even if healed, would damage his foundation, leaving hidden injuries and ailments that would make it difficult for his cultivation to progress.

"What happened?"

Chen Tang asked in a deep voice.

Tan Wujiu had just opened his mouth when he seemed to think of something, hesitating, forcing a smile, and said, "Nothing much, just a sparring session, skills were not as good as the other."

"Sparring, with such heavy hands?"

Chen Tang frowned.

To suffer such a severe injury and still be alive is already a blessing.

Tan Wujiu said nothing, only gave a bitter smile and changed the subject, "Brother Chen, I heard you made a big name in Nanxia, the top of the Wind and Cloud Ranking, One Sword Frost Cold, what a spirit, what skill!"

He seemed unaware of the news that Chen Tang had been pursued and supposedly died at the riverbed.

Chen Tang’s face turned somber, and he remained silent, looking at Changsun He.

Changsun He avoided Chen Tang’s gaze, remaining silent.

Chen Tang looked at Tan Wujiu again, pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Was it the Vajra of Supreme Joy from the Esoteric Sect who injured you?"

Changsun He and Tan Wujiu’s expressions changed.

Tan Wujiu instinctively asked, "Brother Chen, how did you know..."

Chen Tang said, "The injury on your ankle requires immense strength, which can’t be achieved solely with a burst of inner power. This hand strength is cultivated through Horizontal Body Training."

"On the way here, I heard someone mention this Esoteric Monk. I supposed that in Yizhou City, there’s no one else capable of cultivating such strength."

There was a pause before Chen Tang asked, "Why did you hide and cover up this matter?"

Changsun He explained, "Brother Chen, I heard that you have some connections with the Buddhist Sect. That Vajra of Supreme Joy is from the Esoteric Sect, also considered part of the Buddhist Sect. I was afraid it would trouble you..."

Chen Tang raised an eyebrow, "What’s that got to do with it! Speak, what happened?"

The Zen Sect had once helped him, but he doesn’t believe in gods and Buddhas. He was never a Buddhist, and becoming a lay disciple back then was merely a stopgap measure.

He has journeyed through chaotic times, not believing in deities or celestial Buddhas, only trusting the blade in his hand!