Fantasy: I Am the Villain.

Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Matter Is Over (Part Three)

They couldn't agree on anything, so the two groups stood on either side, glaring at each other menacingly. Murong Bo's attempts to persuade them failed, and he could only sigh softly.

"In that case, a battle is inevitable... Brother Xiao, how can you and your son possibly defeat the three of us? We outnumber them, so why insist on this?"

Xiao Yuanshan laughed loudly, "So what if I die? For the past few decades, I have lived each day as if it were a year, hoping only to one day be able to kill my enemies and avenge my deceased wife's spirit in heaven!"

After saying that, he looked coldly at Murong Bo, "Right now, the only murderer from back then is still at large. How can I stop? How can I answer my deceased wife's spirit in heaven?"

"Your restoration of the Great Yan has nothing to do with me, yet you remnants of the old kingdom, with your treacherous hearts, have set your sights on me, causing my family to be destroyed and my life ruined. Now you want me to stop? You old scoundrel, you've got a good plan!"

Xiao Yuanshan was originally a military man of the Liao Dynasty. In his youth, he was a romantic and only had a strong desire to serve his country. He hoped that one day he could be granted a title and wealth, and have countless riches. However, all of this was destroyed by Murong Bo's conspiracy.

The once innocent and heroic Xiao Yuanshan underwent a complete personality reversal after this major change, becoming increasingly withdrawn and extreme. Coupled with decades of hiding in the Sutra Pavilion without communicating with anyone, he has now become increasingly vicious.

He was already extremely unhappy when he heard Murong Bo's conditions, but he only asked a question out of consideration for Qiao Feng's current position.

After all, although this child was a descendant of the Khitan Eagle, he had grown up in the South and the decadent lifestyle of the Song Dynasty had tainted him to some extent. That's why Xiao Yuanshan pretended to ask questions to test Qiao Feng's current temperament.

Hearing that Qiao Feng also firmly refused without hesitation, Xiao Yuanshan was greatly relieved and immediately rebuked Murong Bo, saying that he would kill the culprit even if it cost him his life.

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva saw that Murong Bo was still unwilling to give up and couldn't understand him no matter what they tried to persuade him, but they couldn't convince him.

"Enough with the nonsense! You old fool, the important matters you speak of have nothing to do with my father and me. Today there is no national enmity, only family hatred. Save your rhetoric for the afterlife!"

Xiao Yuanshan leaped forward, using the same method Bodhidharma used to cross the river on a reed. He seemingly slowed but actually swiftly leaped over a row of bookshelves and struck Murong Bo on the forehead with a palm.

Just as the two sides were about to draw their swords, and Xiao Yuanshan's palm was about to strike Murong Bo's forehead, while the latter leaped back, an old voice came from behind them.

The group had clearly cleared out the surrounding monks, so how could there be anyone else? Moreover, the group consisted of people with exceptional martial arts skills; how could anyone have gotten so close without their knowledge?

All five of them broke out in a cold sweat. If that person hadn't given them a warning but instead had tried to kill them, wouldn't they have been decapitated in an instant?

Slowly turning their heads, everyone's muscles were tense, but they dared not relax at all, preparing to defend themselves or escape.

What came into view was an old monk wearing an earth-yellow robe. He had an unusual appearance, and the wrinkles on his face were as strong and desolate as the branches of a hundred-year-old tree.

Qiao Feng didn't know why he came up with such a strange analogy, but the old monk certainly gave that impression at first glance.

The old monk lowered his head and held a broom in his hand, sweeping the ground idly. Everyone looked at each other in surprise, not expecting that he was just an ordinary old monk sweeping the floor.

They certainly didn't know how special this sweeping monk was. Seeing that the one who spoke was just an ordinary monk, Murong Fu thought of stepping forward, knocking him unconscious with a palm strike, and throwing him out of the scripture pavilion.

Unexpectedly, the old monk sweeping the floor raised his head, opened his cloudy eyes, and looked at Qiao Feng, saying, "Hero Qiao is indeed kind-hearted and compassionate, caring for all living beings! He truly has the heart of a Bodhisattva."

Seeing that the old monk spoke with extraordinary manners, Murong Bo waved his hand to stop Murong Fu from making a move, "How long have you been here, sir? We are just asking to use your esteemed place for a moment, please excuse us..."

The most important part of the great cause of restoring the kingdom was about to be completed. Murong Bo really didn't want to cause any more trouble at this moment. He just wanted to persuade the old monk with kind words. If the old monk didn't hear much, then he would send him away.

The sweeping monk slowly turned to Murong Bo, opened his cloudy, lifeless eyes, his vision empty, and simply asked, "How...long...have...I...been...here?"

His voice was hoarse and strained, as if he hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time, "Since I came here... it's been far too long... However, this old monk was already here when this Benefactor Xiao first came to borrow books..."

Xiao Yuanshan was startled. He had been hiding in the Scripture Pavilion for decades and had only met this treacherous villain Murong Bo three times. He had never seen anyone else. He immediately sneered:

"You old bald monk, don't you know the consequences of a monk spouting lies? I've been here for many years, and I've never seen you, you old bald monk, even once?"

The sweeping monk put his palms together and said calmly, "Amitabha, Benefactor Xiao is attached to appearances. As the Buddha said, 'One flower, one world; one leaf, one Bodhi.' Have you not heard the story of 'a leaf obscuring the view'?"

"Benefactor Xiao and this Elder Benefactor Murong were borrowing books in my library, completely absorbed and oblivious to my presence. But you two, having devoted yourselves to studying the profound principles of Buddhism all these years, why do you still harbor such deep-seated hostility?"

After saying this, the old monk seemed to have gotten used to speaking, and his speech gradually quickened. He explained in detail all the methods that Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo had secretly learned in the Sutra Pavilion.

The names, order, and even the times were exactly the same, which startled the two men so much that they broke out in a cold sweat. They no longer believed that this sweeping monk was just an ordinary, nameless old monk, but rather a reclusive master from Shaolin Temple.

Once the thought was made, the two dared not hesitate. They immediately knelt down and explained that they had intruded unintentionally and that they had been greedy for a moment. In short, they made various excuses to deny that they had secretly learned Shaolin skills.

The old monk casually waved his hand, "You two don't need to do this. My Shaolin martial arts are right here to be taught. If I wanted to stop you, you two wouldn't be here today."

"This humble monk observes that you two have diligently practiced martial arts for many years but remain ignorant of Buddhist teachings. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse? While protective techniques are essential, the most important thing is one's own path!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuanshan and his companion curled their lips in disdain. Shaolin Temple had strict rules, and their abbot had just been beaten to death in front of everyone. Who could tolerate such rules?

Seeing their expressions, the sweeping monk knew they didn't take it seriously. He sighed softly, "If you two remain stubborn and refuse to see the truth, you might fall into demonic possession... Wouldn't it be too late to regret it then?"