The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 561 - 320 Causal Slaughter

Chapter 561: Chapter 320 Causal Slaughter

The attack on Lianxi Temple began just as the dragon boat exploded.

Although it was one of the four great Zen monasteries in Ezhou, Lianxi Temple was ultimately a nunnery, and hence relatively secluded, only visited occasionally by women from Wuchang City for incense offerings.

Most within the temple were secluded practitioners.

The temple was built on Panlong Mountain and often ignored worldly affairs. If it weren’t for the current threat to the safety of the three cities of Wuchang and a severe shortage of personnel, they wouldn’t have dispatched all the experts.

Po Liu Han Balin hid here for a reason.

Firstly, a hidden chamber was left behind during the initial construction, and secondly, the temple’s supreme treasure, the Black Jade Guanyin, was specifically forged by his followers to bless him when he proclaimed himself the "True King."

In a way, it was considered his blessed land. Hiding here, the Black Jade Guanyin would not sound the alarm, making it difficult to find him.

However, he hadn’t anticipated encountering the East Lake Ancestor, whose profound Dao allowed him to use the Circular Light Technique to locate Han Balin’s whereabouts.

During the sudden attack, the nuns of Lianxi Temple were also performing a ritual to celebrate the birthday of the Buddha, Protector of the Nation.

They didn’t even have time to react before many were directly killed, and the remainder retreated into the temple in defense.

There was only one passage from the hidden chamber leading to the creek outside the temple. Po Liu Han Balin had already broken through the encirclement but returned, blocking the temple entrance with his sword.

At this moment, all that remained in the temple were the old, weak, sick, and injured. Some lay on the ground crying out in pain, while others, faces ashen, silently recited Buddhist scriptures.

A total of over a hundred people from the Heavenly Saint Sect and Tusi City had come, surrounding the entire temple heavily.

It wasn’t out of mercy, but because Po Liu Han Balin held a Red Mohe as a threat. One more step forward, and he would destroy it.

"Hand over the artifact?"

Po Liu Han Balin, covered in blood, couldn’t care less. He just looked coldly at Protector Wang: "I’ve seen plenty like you before. Hand over the artifact, and they will still meet a dead end."

"Hahaha..."

Princess Tan Yun’er of Tusi City laughed coquettishly, playing with a strange insect in her hand, scoffing: "Po Liu Han Balin, your name was once quite resounding, and I thought you were remarkable."

"You dared to rise up back then, proclaiming yourself king and wreaking havoc, with lives aplenty on your hands. Why now protect these Han people? Have you become so foolish from learning Buddhism?"

As she spoke, her eyes were full of allure, "You were a hero back then. We don’t care about any Rejuvenator. If you’re willing, I’ll marry you, and when this is over, you could become a king."

Po Liu Han Balin’s eyes remained calm, "I think you all are the ones who are senseless. The seeds sown today will bear fruit tomorrow. The resentment in this world only piles up deeper."

"Zhao Changsheng aims to cause chaos in the Divine State, stealing Qi Fortune. Have you ever considered, if this succeeds, destroying the three cities of Wuchang, what fate will the Miao people face?"

"And your Heavenly Saint Sect, claims to seek justice for countless refugees, but what have you actually done?"

"You’re all just power-hungry and covetous..."

Tan Yun’er’s eyes were filled with impatience, "Isn’t that just how the world works? Did you have some noble intention back then?"

"Wuchuan Town was just a small place, yet it produced three Grand Ancestor Emperors and enjoyed four hundred years of Qi Fortune in the Divine State. Why can’t we do the same?"

"Hahaha..."

This time it was Po Liu Han Balin who laughed, shaking his head:

"You... truly can’t."

Hearing this, Tan Yun’er was filled with rage and murderous intent.

"Enough!"

Protector Wang glanced into the distance, his eyes gloomy, "He’s just stalling with nonsense. Attack!"

Lianxi Temple was only eight miles east of Wuchang City.

They chose their timing carefully, with the dragon boat incident drawing most of the attention, but they still didn’t have much time.

At the command, the Miao people and Heavenly Saint Sect disciples at the rear immediately raised their bows and crossbows, releasing sharp arrows.

Among them, more than twenty carried firearms, but like the unfortunate Shi Chen, due to rain and mishandling, the damp gunpowder prevented firing.

This was precisely why they couldn’t capture Lianxi Temple in one go.

"Hmph!"

Po Liu Han Balin snorted coldly, rising immediately. Though he held the sword with one hand, his Blade Technique was so refined that even without using Hidden Energy, he deflected the incoming arrows with horizontal and upward sweeps.

Compared to the rains of arrows faced in past battles, this was hardly worth mentioning.

Those across had already experienced his might and didn’t expect the bows and crossbows to harm him; they just aimed to disturb.

The Fu siblings were also in the formation, suddenly lowering their postures, with Hidden Energy erupting from beneath their feet, darting out from both sides. At the same time, their Meteor Shuttles danced in their hands like venomous snakes, tearing through the rain towards Po Liu Han Balin.

Simultaneously, Granny Alang and Tan Yun’er released their Gu Worms, one being the Poison Mosquito Group, the other a Winged Centipede.

As for Protector Wang, he once again raised the Divine Fire Gun.

Unlike the powerful court, both the Heavenly Saint Sect and Longxiang Army had seized new firearms, yet the supply of new-style gunpowder’s "coal spirit" and "red nitrate" was critically lacking.

Hence, they used it very sparingly.

Even for this outing, Protector Wang could carry little despite his status, enough for only thirty shots.

Every shot had to be taken with caution.

Even though Po Liu Han Balin was left with only one arm, to capture him quickly required the Divine Fire Gun.

As expected, seeing the attack coming, Po Liu Han Balin no longer hid his strength and suddenly formed a spell, spitting blood onto the blade.

A burst of Astral Bane Energy surged around him.

"Astral Force?"

The Fu siblings saw it and instantly felt their scalps tingle, quickly retreating.

However, it was already too late.