"Well, well!
Da Xing, you old bald donkey finally decided to show yourself! I thought you were planning to hide for the rest of your life!"
Seeing Da Xing the Mad Monk emerge, Huo Toutuo taunted, "What's the matter? Don't recognize your Fire Second Uncle anymore?"
"How could I not?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk replied with a cheeky grin, "This Old Monk might not recognize anyone else, but I could never fail to recognize you, Fire Second Uncle."
"Hahahaha!
Now that's what I like to hear!"
Huo Toutuo roared with laughter, "It's been years, but you old bald donkey still know how to talk sweet."
Then, Feng Siniang chimed in teasingly, "Da Xing, I remember you used to practice with your hair grown out. Where's your hair now?
How come you're bald these days?
Hmm?
Hehehe."
Da Xing the Mad Monk rubbed his smooth, bald head and chuckled in response, "Being bald is good. It's so much cooler."
Huo Toutuo, Grandfather Thunder Lord, Dianmu Niangniang, and Feng Siniang, upon seeing Da Xing the Mad Monk, began bantering with him one after another. It was clear that the four of them not only knew Da Xing the Mad Monk but were also very familiar with each other.
"Da Xing, I hear you've grown some backbone," said Huo Toutuo, his towering nine-meter frame standing there like a mountain peak, exuding immense intimidation.
In comparison, Da Xing the Mad Monk looked very small. He asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Huo Toutuo crossed his arms and looked down at Da Xing the Mad Monk, "I heard you're planning to collude with outsiders to covet the Chan Sect's treasure. Is that true?
If it is, confess honestly, and Fire Second Uncle might give you a quick death. Otherwise, Fire Second Uncle will tear you apart alive today."
"This Old Monk coveting the Chan Sect's treasure?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk questioned, "Tell me, Fire Second Uncle, do you even believe that yourself?"
"Right now, Fire Second Uncle is asking the questions. You just answer honestly. Don't give me all these roundabout talks!"
"Enough, Second Brother. Stop fooling around and step back."
At that moment.
Tudigong stepped forward, leaning on his cane, and looked at Da Xing the Mad Monk, "Da Xing, it's been many years. I hope you've been well."
"Getting by," Da Xing the Mad Monk replied, "When did you come out of seclusion, Old Master?"
"We haven't been out for long. A while ago, we heard from Water Moon Bodhisattva that your Chan Sect has a traitor who wants to collude with outsiders to covet the sect's supreme treasure. So, my siblings and I came to take a look."
"That's wonderful news," Da Xing the Mad Monk said with a smile, "If Old Master is willing to lend a hand, our Chan Sect might just be saved. However..." As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the black-clothed man standing beside Water Moon Bodhisattva and asked, "Junior Sister, who is this...?"
Water Moon Bodhisattva, dressed in a simple monk's robe and holding the Great Purity Great Stillness Empty Gate Whisk, stood calmly and replied indifferently, "A friend of mine."
"A friend?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk walked over and asked, "May I ask for your esteemed name?"
The black-clothed man did not respond. Water Moon Bodhisattva stated bluntly, "There's no need for you to know."
"Heh!"
Da Xing the Mad Monk shook his head and smiled helplessly, "It seems Junior Sister still suspects me."
"I'm not suspecting you. I just don't trust you!"
"Isn't that the same thing?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk sighed and continued, "So, you invited Tudigong and the others here today to deal with This Old Monk?"
"You're mistaken. I invited these seniors not to deal with you, but to protect our Chan Sect's supreme treasure."
After Water Moon Bodhisattva finished speaking, Tudigong added, "Da Xing, regarding the current situation in your Chan Sect, This Old One has heard the details from Shuiyue. Although we haven't met for many years, This Old One still trusts your character. Shuiyue doesn't distrust you either; she's just...
a bit too cautious. I hope you, as her senior brother, can understand."
"Understand? Of course This Old Monk understands. After all, Shuiyue is This Old Monk's junior sister. How could I, as her senior brother, not understand her character?"
Although Da Xing the Mad Monk said this, he knew in his heart that his junior sister might no longer suspect him, but she definitely did not trust him. Not only did she not trust him, she was also on guard against him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have invited the Five Monsters of Heishan, let alone such a mysterious and eerie black-clothed man.
"As long as you two senior brother and junior sister don't harbor suspicions towards each other, this matter will be much easier to handle. This Old One hopes you can put aside past grievances, sit down, and discuss a strategy. After all, we are merely outsiders and do not wish to intervene unless absolutely necessary."
"Old Master, you're being too formal. You are hardly an outsider in our Chan Sect."
Da Xing the Mad Monk's words were not mere politeness but fact. In terms of origins, the Five Monsters of Heishan were indeed not outsiders. In a sense, they could even be considered half-disciples of the Chan Sect, as the Old Mother of Heishan cultivated the Chan Sect's Buddhist Dharma. It was said that the Old Mother of Heishan had even received guidance from the Ancient Buddha Dipamkara. Whether this was true or not was unknown, but that was the legend. And it was a fact that the Old Mother of Heishan cultivated Chan Sect Buddhist Dharma.
"Origins are one thing, but your Chan Sect's affairs should be discussed between you two senior brother and junior sister. We are only here to help."
"There's nothing for the two of us to discuss. Plans can't keep up with changes. Who knows what state the Chan Sect is in now? In This Old Monk's opinion, the most urgent matter is to enter the Little Chan Secret Realm first."
Da Xing the Mad Monk looked at Water Moon Bodhisattva and asked, "What do you think, Junior Sister?"
Seeing that Water Moon Bodhisattva did not respond, Da Xing the Mad Monk continued, "If you agree, let's set off for the Little Chan Secret Realm now. This Old Monk reckons the Chan Sect's relic is about to emerge. It's better we go early. Who knows how those old fogies in the Chan Sect will deal with us then."
"Setting off for the Little Chan Secret Realm is not impossible, but..." Water Moon Bodhisattva said calmly, "First, invite your two friends out. I know they've already arrived."
"So that's what this is about. Easy, easy."
Da Xing the Mad Monk waved his hand. A flash of light later, Gu Qingfeng and Mo Wentian appeared.
"Mo Wentian!"
Upon seeing Mo Wentian, Huo Toutuo and the others seemed very surprised, "You brat, what are you doing here too?"
"So it's the Free Emperor Mo Wentian. Hehe..." "Mo Wentian, you escaped last time. Didn't expect you to still be alive."
Mo Wentian was indeed Mo Wentian, famous enough that even the Five Monsters of Heishan knew him.
Indeed.
Mo Wentian did know the Five Monsters of Heishan. Not only did he know them, but back in the Desolate Ancient Era, Mo Wentian had even crossed hands with Huo Toutuo, Grandfather Thunder Lord, and Dianmu Niangniang. However, his relationship with the Five Monsters of Heishan was one of 'no discord, no concord'—they fought once but didn't become enemies because of it. Of course, while they weren't enemies, they weren't exactly friends either, merely acquaintances at best.
"Young Friend Mo," Tudigong said, "We meet again."
"Mo pays his respects to Tudigong, Water Moon Bodhisattva, and all you seniors."