Lord Zheng, while gnawing on a lamb bone, pointed below and spoke.

A Ming glanced outside as well and said, "Perhaps they truly have some skill."

"Hehe, isn't that obvious? Without a bit of skill, how could they venture out? But it's a pity, you see, always having some who just fill the ranks, seems ineffective. Those with some skill, are indeed genuinely capable. This mix of truth and falsehood likely yields the best outcome."

"My lord, should I go down and stop them?"

"No hurry, no hurry, they're still in the city. Oh, they're raising their heads and looking over, watching you now, A Ming. Tell me, did you just reveal a killing intent towards them?"

On the street below, the old monk looked up at the second floor.

A Ming then responded:

"I fear they might be assassins."

There truly exist formidable individuals in this world. They might not be effective in full-scale battles where sheer numbers overwhelm,

but in certain moments, exceptional personal prowess can achieve miraculous effects.

Like the Sword Saint assassinating the old chancellor, or slaying Geremu before Snow Sea Pass;

or like the time Master Zang and Baili Sword traveled to Yanjing, causing the entire Yanjing Imperial Guard to be on full alert.

Shatuo Queshi died outside the Marquis' residence, but if he had been subtle, targeting the assassination of the princess, she would have had to consider carefully before going out in the future.

This is precisely why Lord Zheng carries Shatuo Queshi's coffin everywhere and goes to great lengths to curry favor with the Sword Saint.

Armies and cavalry are necessary, but top-notch elite forces by your side cannot be lacking. Else, when faced with a situation like "Jing Ke assassinating the King of Qin," where will you go to cry?

Why is Lord Jingnan so terrifying?

Because he not only has vast armies, his personal strength has also defeated the Sword Saint, truly unassailable.

"Master, what are you looking at?"

"Ah, it seems, I've mistaken coming to Snow Sea Pass."

"Then let's go, Master. Anyway, we're full and ready to escape."

"It's easy to climb the mountain, but hard to descend."

With that said,

Monk Kongyuan immediately took his disciple's hand and walked into the lamb stew shop.

The monk eating lamb drew quite a few eyes, but Monk Kongyuan remained unfazed, leading his disciple straight to the second floor.

But as they just set foot on the stairway to the second floor, before even seeing the layout clearly, they were directly aimed at by more than ten crossbows.

These crossbows, military issue, at such close range, naturally possess terrifying lethality.

Young Monk Liaofan immediately shivered in fright. Being so young, how could he withstand such a situation?

Monk Kongyuan, however, appeared carefree and natural, showing no fear.

Zheng Fan, while gnawing on a lamb bone, shouted:

"Hey, monk also coming up for some indulgence?"

Monk Kongyuan placed his hands together and spoke:

"This humble monk comes to bid farewell to you."

Zheng Fan discarded the lamb leg he had almost finished, picked up a handkerchief, and while wiping his hands, said:

"So soon to leave, does that mean I haven't been a gracious host?"

Young Monk Liaofan's eyes widened instantly, realizing this is Lord Pingye!

Monk Kongyuan bowed respectfully and said:

"Initially, I thought your place would be a pure land, but who knew, you have already constructed obstacles around this refuge of faith."

Implicitly, suggesting Zheng Fan controls and repurposes the monks, who are meant to be beyond worldly cares.

Regardless of truth or falsehood, monks traditionally do not bow even to emperors and officials, being beyond worldly constraints. Yet, this Lord Pingye instead harbors intentions of controlling them.

"Heh, monks need to eat too, don't they? There's no reason monks shouldn't work. And if everyone becomes monks, it's akin to no one becoming monks."

Monk Kongyuan heard this and praised:

"This humble monk is enlightened."

Young Monk Liaofan also imitated his master, placing hands together earnestly and said:

"This young monk is enlightened."

At this point, the blind man finished his course at the temple and approached. Seeing him arrive, Zheng Fan relaxed and signaled for his guards to retreat.

No matter what, this is Snow Sea Pass. With A Ming and the blind man guarding him, even if this monk is a hidden expert, killing him would be immensely difficult.

Monk Kongyuan saw the blind man and asked:

"May I ask, are you a Buddha or a demon?"

The blind man chuckled and said: "If Buddha says I'm Buddha, then I am Buddha; if demon says I'm demon, then I am demon."

Monk Kongyuan felt once again baptized by enlightenment.

Then said:

"This humble monk is enlightened."

"This young monk is enlightened."

Young Monk Liaofan silently recited these words in his heart. Usually, when traveling with his master, they roamed across lands, encountering masters who would lecture for days just to utter one or two profound sayings. These sayings were immensely useful, according to his master's instruction, as they could ensure favorable lodging and meals from dignitaries in the future.

Who would have thought, the people of Snow Sea Pass truly seem to casually offer poignant sayings effortlessly, best memorize and remember them quickly, for they are survival tools.

In fact, these sagely expressions, in later times, merely consist of half cautionary maxims, four-tenths ambiguous and mixed with a shade of Buddhist wisdom. Mass-producing them, truly, isn't hard. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Furthermore, who says it often holds more weight than the "words" themselves.