Invisible Security Guard
Chapter 520 - 519: Matters of the Wulin

Chapter 520: Chapter 519: Matters of the Wulin

Yusuf Zuck ran through the woods of Mount Emei all night, without stopping to rest, but other than finding a few dilapidated houses, he achieved nothing.

Although he had telekinetic powers, and his speed was quite fast in the mountains, he was unfortunately searching in the wrong direction, towards the back mountain of Emei, where could he possibly find what he sought?

By early the next morning, his stomach was growling, and he had no choice but to head towards a temple within sight.

The temple, visible from afar, also had a large Buddha statue—it was clearly a sacred place of Buddhism. Just like Wutai Mountain, the area around Mount Emei was dotted with many temples.

After crossing the woods, he finally reached the mountain steps, where a few young monks were sweeping fallen leaves. As Yusuf Zuck passed by, they did not greet him. Modern temples are open to the public, selling entrance tickets that also served as donations.

When Yusuf Zuck arrived at the mountain gate, he saw the temple’s name, Hongye Temple, and indeed he had to buy a ticket to enter. It wasn’t expensive—just five yuan.

After digging out five yuan for the ticket, Yusuf Zuck also asked, "Do you sell vegetarian meals?"

"Yes, fifty yuan each," replied the person charging the fee, who was not a monk, likely a staff member from the religious affairs bureau. Yusuf Zuck took out another fifty yuan, and the staff member also told him how to proceed. Once he reached the dining hall, he could dine with his ticket.

And as the staff member was explaining the directions to Yusuf Zuck, he probed with his telekinesis.

"Eh?" This casual probe turned out to be quite the discovery—Yusuf Zuck saw a familiar figure in the temple, the venerable Monk Isaiah Fowler, the one Everest Zuck had introduced to him.

This monk might have had some achievements and even possessed telekinetic powers, but Yusuf Zuck did not have a good impression of him. Back on the mountains of Guizhou, Monk Isaiah Fowler had not helped him at all, not even uttering a word of justice. On the contrary, he seemed quite friendly with the people who wanted to kill Yusuf Zuck.

Yusuf Zuck raised an eyebrow; Monk Isaiah Fowler’s ability to use telekinetic powers was because he had been spiritually cleansed by a master. Only those who had undergone such a cleansing could possess telekinesis, though Isaiah Fowler could only project his thoughts a mere ten meters or so, nothing compared to Yusuf Zuck’s vast reach.

"Heh, since you’re here, I might as well talk to you," thought Yusuf Zuck. As he scanned Monk Isaiah Fowler with telekinesis, the monk did not notice, which was to be expected as Isaiah Fowler likely remained at his original level while Yusuf himself had rapidly advanced. Thus, it was normal that Isaiah Fowler could not sense his telekinesis.

Yusuf Zuck did not head to the dining hall but instead quickly walked up the steps, past the Main Hall, and after another incense hall, entered the courtyard where Monk Isaiah Fowler was located.

The courtyard was spacious; both the main gates and the hall doors were wide open as if they were conducting morning rituals, with several aged monks sitting inside, chanting and meditating.

As soon as Yusuf Zuck entered the courtyard, before anyone noticed him, he burst into loud laughter, purposefully making a noise.

"Master Isaiah Fowler, it seems we are truly destined to meet again!"

The few elderly monks in the hall did not show surprise. Even if they were not true enlightened monks, they were still monks, having long achieved the state where emotions did not show on their faces.

Monk Isaiah Fowler stood up abruptly and walked towards Yusuf Zuck quickly, while the other monks also opened their eyes and turned their heads to look.

"Donor Zuck, Monk Isaiah Fowler gives you his greetings." On seeing Yusuf Zuck again, Monk Isaiah Fowler was unusually courteous. Even though monks should be detached from the secular world, Isaiah Fowler was known for being a monk who sought benefits.

"Master, I have been seeking celestial friends and happened to become hungry during my journey. Upon entering, I discovered that the master was here. Since you are an old acquaintance, I specifically came to see you. However, Master, I am truly famished. Could you perhaps offer some alms?"

"Yan Dao, prepare a vegetarian meal immediately. A distinguished guest graces our doors, a blessing for our Hongye Temple," commanded Monk Isaiah Fowler as he turned around.

"Understood, Uncle Master," replied an elderly monk, surprising Yusuf Zuck by addressing Monk Isaiah Fowler as Uncle Master, and he hurriedly left to carry out the order.

Yusuf Zuck was invited into the main hall by Monk Isaiah Fowler while the others respectfully left, suggesting that Isaiah Fowler held considerable authority here, almost as if he were the Custodian.

"Donor Zuck, have you found your celestial friend?" Monk Isaiah Fowler asked with a smile.

"I haven’t found it yet, but I have something I’d like to ask you," Yusuf Zuck thought for a moment and said, "Do you know where the meeting place of the Emei Sect is? Also, is there a Taoist temple on this Mount Emei? I searched all night without finding it, though people told me there was one around here. Why is that?"

"You are looking for the Emei headquarters? Amitabha." Isaiah Fowler intoned a Buddhist chant and said, "Not far, not far at all. Descend the mountain and follow the main road for twenty miles, then turn right and head straight up the mountain. There, you will find a small path through the mountains, with a Purple Cloud Temple atop. That place is the Emei headquarters."

"Ah? It’s on the opposite mountain?" Yusuf Zuck gaped in surprise; he had been searching the wrong place, having circled the back of Mount Emei without going to the front mountain. Besides, the front mountain wasn’t very tall, not resembling any sort of blessed land.

"Exactly, exactly," Isaiah Fowler nodded repeatedly.

"Alright, then I won’t disturb the master’s meditation any longer; I’ll be leaving now." Having learned the location, Yusuf Zuck did not wish to stay any longer, so he got up and walked towards the exit.

"Won’t you stay for a vegetarian meal?" Isaiah Fowler also stood up to see him off.

"Sure, just a couple of steamed buns will do." While Yusuf Zuck was walking out, a monk had already entered the courtyard carrying a tray with steamed buns, tofu, bean curd skins, potatoes, and other vegetarian dishes.

Yusuf Zuck casually took a couple of steamed buns, eating them as he walked, and waved to Isaiah Fowler.

"Master Yusuf, please wait, I have something else to tell you," Isaiah Fowler approached Yusuf Zuck and said.

"What is it?" Yusuf Zuck asked back.

"Recently, various martial arts sects in regions like central Sichuan, northern Shaanxi, Yunnan-Guizhou, the border of Mongolia, the two Guang provinces, and the three eastern provinces have all experienced incidents. The current Sect Leader of the Emei Sect in central Sichuan has also been murdered. As far as I am aware, the five main branches of Emei – the Huangling, Dianyi, Qingcheng, Iron Buddha, and Qingniu factions – have already submitted to a mysterious figure and were reorganized by this person," said Isaiah Fowler.

"When did this happen?" Yusuf Zuck exclaimed in shock.

Isaiah Fowler replied, "Half a month ago."

"Do you know who it was?" Yusuf Zuck nodded; Rachel Fournier had not arrived half a month ago.

"I am not sure who the specific individual is, but this person from central Sichuan is at the Late-Glimpse Stage, halfway into Fasting, a supreme figure with unknown origins. It’s as if they emerged out of nowhere, and with a swiftness faster than a thunderclap, they beheaded the Emei Sect Leader. Then they faced the five main branches alone, and with none able to defeat them, they were forced to submit!"

"Do people in the martial arts world all handle things this way? Don’t they report to the authorities?" Yusuf Zuck asked back.

"I’m afraid reporting would only result in the extermination of one’s entire family. Besides, these are people of the jianghu, who deal with jianghu affairs; they would not allow government involvement!"

"Also, if I’m not mistaken, that person as well as the heads of the five main branches should be on the opposite mountain. So, be careful, Master Yusuf."

"Thank you, Master!" This time Isaiah Fowler showed good will towards him by sharing so much information, so Yusuf Zuck immediately bowed in gratitude.

"I have heard that Master Yusuf’s Flying Sword is a gift from the venerable Elder Huang. Elder Huang once also imparted his kindness to me. As Master Yusuf travels south, take great care."

"Understood, thank you. You know I’m from the capital, so if there’s ever anything you need, come find me there." Yusuf Zuck clasped his hands towards Isaiah Fowler and then strode away.

Isaiah Fowler brought his hands together in a prayer gesture towards the direction of Yusuf Zuck’s departure and once more intoned a Buddhist chant.

At this moment, Yusuf Zuck was internally astonished. The implication of Isaiah Fowler’s words was that many places across the country were facing similar incidents. If the jianghu people resolve jianghu matters amongst themselves, then why would this person with the unknown background take such a grand and public approach? What could their relation be to Rachel Fournier? Could it be that she has come back to seek vengeance for the current Sect Leader being murdered?

Yusuf Zuck dared not delay any longer. Upon descending the mountain and finding no one at the foot, he directly used Telekinesis to traverse the distance, swiftly heading towards the South Mountain.