Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 497 - 465

Chapter 497: 465

Fuyuan Temple, located to the north of Longyun Path, was a Taoist temple with over thirty Taoist priests. Although the temple was not bustling with worshippers, its members were able to make a living.

Positioned to the west of Spring Breeze Town, people would frequently come to the temple to offer incense and make monetary donations.

It wasn’t a result of the temple’s famed efficaciousness, but entirely because the Temple Master, Feng Wei, was a very kind man.

Over the years, many martial artists who suffered severe injuries were treated and healed at Fuyuan Temple.

As time passed, many martial artists who were gravely wounded in skirmishes with the Tujue people sought refuge within the walls of Fuyuan Temple.

Thus, although to the common folk Fuyuan Temple was just a place with decent offerings, to the warriors of Longyun Path, it held a special value and meaning.

Even though autumn had already set in, the number of visitors coming to offer incense at Fuyuan Temple was still considerable.

However, many were curious as to why, early in the morning, soldiers had surrounded the entire Fuyuan Temple, prohibiting anyone’s entry or exit.

Even some martial artists received news and rushed to Fuyuan Temple to see what was going on.

Upon hearing the commotion outside, Taoist Temple Master Feng, along with his disciples, went out to investigate.

"May I know the reason why everyone is visiting my Fuyuan Temple so early?"

The soldiers guarding near the temple’s gate paid him no attention.

This made Taoist Temple Master Feng both annoyed and perplexed.

It was at that moment a hearty laugh echoed from a distance.

"Hahaha... If it isn’t Taoist Temple Master Feng Wei? I am Zhang San, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Temple Master Feng."

Upon hearing the name Zhang San, Feng Wei’s brow furrowed.

"May I ask if you are the Lingwu Army’s Zhang San, who fights against the Tujue, or the Zhang San from the Town Martial Office, who suppresses martial artists?"

Zhang San realized that this old fellow seemed kind-hearted, but his words carried a chilly undertone.

If he claimed to be from the Lingwu Army, then Feng would surely argue that Fuyuan Temple had saved many warriors fighting the Tujue over the years, attempting to morally bind him.

If he admitted being from the Town Martial Office, Feng would argue that he was deliberately causing trouble, and again try to morally bind him.

Old man, with such skill in entrapment, why not become a bandit!

"Taoist Temple Master Feng is too polite. I am simply the Zhang San who has come with evidence of your collusion with Tujue warriors, the one to take your life!"

Hearing these words, the complexion of Temple Master Feng changed instantly.

Who leaked the news?

Yet, Taoist Temple Master Feng quickly managed a smile, regaining his composure.

"Zhang San, you have quite a sense of humor. In all of Longyun Path, who doesn’t know that I, Feng Wei, have saved countless Great Sui warriors over these years?"

Zhang San responded with a nonchalant ’Oh,’ then loudly challenged, "But do they know it was you who leaked information, leading to the Dugu Brothers being ambushed and killed by Tujue warriors on their most recent mission?"

"Do they know that you secretly murdered Zhao Qiansong, the Changbai Sword Hero who was severely injured and in the late period of the Spirit Platform Realm?"

"Do they know that while you appeared to save people, you actually collected the intelligence of these martial artists and sold it to the Tujue at a high price, reaping a vast amount of benefits?"

"They might not know, but I do."

Feng Wei initially thought Zhang San had just caught wind of some rumors, but from what Zhang San had just revealed, it was clear that Zhang San must have gotten hold of something substantial.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come so aggressively to his doorstep.

"I, Feng Wei, have always acted openly and honorably. How dare you defame me, Zhang San, I’ll fight you!"

Feng Wei assumed a stance and charged towards Zhang San.

Judging by Zhang San’s age, Feng Wei estimated that he couldn’t be beyond the late period of the True Core Realm; how could this green youth want to fight him?

However, as soon as Feng Wei made his move, Zhang San pulled a Mo Blade from his Gluttonous Bag and with a surge of Blade Intent and Might, he chopped directly towards him.

Feng Wei, sensing danger, quickly used his Refining Qi into Gang technique to form a Qi Gang protective shield in front of him, but it was directly shattered by Zhang San’s blade.

So strong!

Although Feng Wei was also a veteran at the Spiritual Platform Realm, he had only reached the stage of Spirit Platform Illusion, never making it to the stage of True Core Blossoming.

Now faced with Zhang San, after just one slash, Feng Wei felt the grimness of his situation.

Escape!

If you can’t win, run! This was an eternal truth!

Nevertheless, as Feng Wei turned to flee towards the north and barely lifted off, the soldiers who had been lying in ambush, the army archers, fired a volley that drenched Feng Wei on the spot, piercing him with eight arrows, all oozing fresh blood.

Zhang San raised his Mo Blade towards the disciples gathered at the gate of Fuyuan Temple and declared, "Those who confess honestly will have their sentences reduced! Whoever hands over evidence of Feng Wei’s collusion with the Tujue will be spared!"

Upon hearing this, disciples in the know immediately turned and ran inside the temple.

Soon, several soldiers brought the severely injured Feng Wei and made him kneel in front of the temple gates, and disciples started rushing out from the temple carrying a large box in hand.

"Military Chief Zhang San, please spare my life! These are all the letters of correspondence between that traitor, not master, Feng Wei and the Tujue."

Then another disciple came out, holding a gigantic chest. They placed the chest on the ground and opened it for all to see.

"These are the valuable items from the powerful or extraordinarily talented martial artists of the Great Sui who were secretly murdered by the scoundrel Feng Wei over the years. Because he feared that if these items were dispersed, people would know that he was the one who killed them. So, Feng Wei has been hiding these items."

Many martial artists, upon knowing that Zhang San was from the Town Martial Office, thought that he came to Spring Breeze Town today to trouble Feng Wei and wanted to seize the opportunity to play the part of a just ally, ready to strike at Zhang San at the crucial moment.

However, when they saw that Zhang San merely took down Feng Wei, these disciples came running out one after the other, presenting various pieces of evidence to prove Feng Wei’s deeds.

Many martial artists who had always regarded Feng Wei as a great benevolent man were dumbfounded.

Who could have imagined that Feng Wei, who had saved them in the past, turned out to be a Tujue spy!

Zhang San sighed deeply.

"Bring in these disciples from the Fuyuan Temple; those who voluntarily confessed just now shall be exempted from punishment, but we still need to record their testimonies. As for the other disciples, give them a thorough interrogation to find out what they know. As for the items and properties of the Fuyuan Temple, seize them all!"

Changsun Wuji, who had been watching from a distance, could hardly contain his glee upon hearing this statement.

The reason he had eagerly followed Zhang San and his second younger brother here was not just to watch the excitement, but also to experience the thrill of confiscating someone’s property.

Although the Fuyuan Temple appeared dilapidated, it had always attracted many visitors to offer incense, and several martial artists had come to donate generously after being saved. Surely, there were many valuable things inside.

"Let me do it, let me do it! Brother San, leave it to me! You can count on me!"

Changsun Wuji ran up to Zhang San, grinning and volunteering.

By noon that very day, the news of Taoist Temple Master Feng of the Fuyuan Temple colluding with the Tujue had spread throughout the entire Spring Breeze Town.

Especially the deaths of the Four Dugu Brothers and the Changbai Sword Hero, Zhao Qiansong.

Both incidents had once caused a huge sensation at the time.

The Four Dugu Brothers were hearty, upright, and renowned for their rescues of numerous Great Sui martial artists from the clutches of Tujue fighters along the Longyun Path.

Even the Wind Divine Hall had intended to invite the four brothers, promising the eldest among them the position of Fourth Hall Master, if only they would join.

However, the Dugu brothers, accustomed to their freedom, did not wish to join the Wind Divine Hall.

But not long after, they fell into an ambush by Tujue and were gravely injured. Fortunately, they were sent to the Fuyuan Temple, where they managed to survive.

Yet unexpectedly, in their haste to seek revenge, upon leaving they never returned.

Many even suspected at the time that the Wind Divine Hall, having failed to recruit them, had out of spite killed the Dugu brothers.

In fact, during that period, some martial artists who were good friends with the Dugu brothers had gone out of their way to cause trouble for the Wind Divine Hall.

But who could have imagined that the mastermind behind everything was Feng Wei, who had always appeared to be a savior?

On closer thought, it became evident that while Feng Wei outwardly pretended to be the good Samaritan, in reality, he could learn about everyone’s injuries during treatment, and then inform the Tujue martial artists, allowing them to be prepared when confronting the Great Sui martial artists.

Even more tragic was the fate of the Changbai Sword Hero, Zhao Qiansong.

This man had long been criticized by many for being somewhat... effeminate.

Although he was a man from the Northeast’s Wanglong Road, his way of speaking and habitually startling behavior made him seem almost womanly.

Yet, it was this person, whom many covertly referred to as womanly, who had become famous in a battle where he pursued Tujue fighters for two thousand li to rescue a sixteen-year-old girl from a family that had once helped him.

After that battle, the Changbai Sword Hero’s fame was established.

Afterward, anyone who dared to call Zhao Qiansong effeminate would surely be challenged to a duel by martial artists.

But it was precisely that battle during which Zhao Qiansong was severely wounded and eventually sent to the Fuyuan Temple, where he died without recovering.

At the time, everyone felt it was the jealousy of the heavens towards a prodigious talent, but now it seems that Zhao Qiansong’s influence on the Great Sui martial artists was too significant, and the Tujue martial artists realized that such a force was far too terrifying, so it was necessary to prevent him from advancing to the Purple Mansion Realm. Hence, they had Feng Wei ruthlessly do away with him.

As the multitude of martial artists recalled the past, they sighed with regret. But some realized that the one who had revealed the truth was none other than Zhang San, whom nobody had favored lately.

This Zhang San, it seemed, was not so detestable after all.

While some didn’t mind Zhang San, there were surely others who disliked him intensely.

Within the courtyard of Spring Breeze Town on a closed-off room during broad daylight, several martial artists huddled together, appearing highly anxious.

"Feng Wei has been captured, will it be our turn next?"

"Don’t worry! We’re just minor characters; Zhang San might have confiscated the Tujue’s possessions, and perhaps the Tujue martial artists surrendered Feng Wei’s involvement, but the ones we dealt with are much stronger, certainly not someone Zhang San could handle."

"Exactly, I heard that Zhang San even used strong bows and crossbows from the military to capture Feng Wei today, which clearly indicates that his skill is just so-so!"

Just then, a young martial artist who had been sitting quietly at the chief position in the room spoke in a cold voice: "The most important thing is to keep a low profile! We’re so inconspicuous, surely we won’t get caught!"

Thump, thump, thump...

Just at that moment, there was a knock on the door.

The people inside immediately looked at each other curiously, wondering who would come at this time.

The martial artist at the door whispered the password: "The Yellow River bends through nine turns to the sky."

There was a brief silence outside, followed by a voice.

"Your dad Zhang San is knocking at the door!"