Chapter 34: Cause and Effect (IV)

By this time, Li Kuo’s situation had become extremely dangerous. He not only had to face the pursuit of his old friend Feng Deyen but also confront an attack from thousands of followers!
In the blink of an eye, these followers lost their minds and turned into lifeless puppets!
“The reason these believers are delirious is because they drank the talismanic water!”
A trickle of blood seeped from Li Kuo’s lips as he coldly warned Li Sheng.
Now that he had lost his fighting ability and most of the followers were no longer in their senses, if nothing was done promptly, it could lead to disaster.
“Kill them all!”
Feng Deyen’s eyes were filled with malice as he ordered in a deep voice, pointing at the dozen or so Tibetan Buddhist monks a hundred steps away.
It seemed he had made considerable progress within Mahayana Buddhism and had even become a minor leader.
The longest nights were the hardest to endure, especially those destined to stretch until dawn. Suddenly, thunder rumbled in the western sky, sounding terrifying in the quiet darkness.
“Boom!”
With another thunderclap, a bright streak appeared in the pitch-black night sky.
“Boom!”
Thunder followed swiftly by heavy rain!
Hearing the thunderous sounds, many followers who had not yet lost their minds trembled three times. Silver flashes cut through the sky, filling people with fear. It seemed as though the heavens themselves, angered by their conversation, intended to punish these ignorant beings with a storm. A sharp crack of thunder split the sky, and sparse raindrops began to fall, hitting the rocks along the banks of the Yudai River and people’s faces, producing a crackling sound.
Gradually, strong winds arose, carrying stones and sand that struck people’s faces, making it impossible to stand.
Yet Li Sheng showed no fear. With a gentle shake of his wrist, he drew his sword. The blade, mixed with rainwater, was swung at Feng Deyen with astonishing force.
This strike was for the pilgrims from the Jianghuai region, for the thousands of people who had lost their minds, and for the dignity of the Tang people!
Feng Deyen was shocked. He had never seen such a desperate fighting style. Not daring to engage head-on, he retreated under the pressure. Now trapped on the north side of the river, with nowhere to retreat or hide!
Gritting his teeth, Feng Deyen instead charged forward, leaping to seize Li Sheng’s sword. This was a highly risky move—success could grant him a huge advantage instantly, but failure would expose his body as an easy target.
“Still a real man!”
Shouting, Li Sheng charged forward in response.

He couldn’t stop; he had to buy enough time for Da Chui, Dou Qing, and the others. Every moment he held on, their chances of survival increased by a fraction.
“A bunch of foolishly loyal idiots!”
Feng Dian curled his lips and sneered coldly.
The Tang dynasty court was already so corrupt—why would anyone still risk their life for it? Not to mention others, just take the crown prince he had once supported—was he really a wise ruler worthy of trust?
Cruel, ungrateful, and vindictive, such a narrow-minded person with a heart smaller than a needle’s eye—how could he deserve loyalty?
The Qingke Alliance was nothing but an organization that deceived itself. As soon as he showed a hint of weakness, they ordered his pursuit—just thinking about it made him feel chilled. But it was good so; now he wouldn’t have even the slightest illusion about the Tang dynasty court.
Fortunately, he had joined Mahayana Buddhism in his confusion and followed Master Wu Jie to spread the teachings.
Through the efforts of someone like him—unsuccessful in his official career and abandoned by the Central Plains court—the influence of Mahayana Buddhism in the Jianghuai region grew day by day, leading to the magnificent scene of tonight!
By now, the spread of the Luo Shu formula among the people had increased greatly; even young children could recite a verse of it!
“The Luo Shu appears—disaster for the Central Plains; the Buddha begins his fasting—both capitals fall. Five dou of rice goes to Shambhala; war breaks out, and the land changes!”
Just half a month ago, the Luo Shu appeared in Gaoyou!
You see, the Luo Shu is a sacred book that predicts the fate of the world, quite similar to the “Heavenly Book” created by Zhang Jiao of the Taiping Dao during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Most miraculously, whenever dynasties changed, the Luo Shu always appeared alongside the River Map. The appearance of the Luo Shu now was in accordance with the will of heaven!
If so, then he would be the one to follow this will of heaven!
With this resolve in mind, Feng Dian stepped forward quickly.
He reached out and grabbed Li Sheng’s wrist, using force to snatch the blade from his hand. But who would have thought that Li Sheng would roar and strike Feng Dian in the chest with his elbow.
“Pfft!”
Feng Dian spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling intense pain in his internal organs as he was sent flying backward. Yet, as a skilled fighter by a Buddhist monk’s side, he adjusted himself mid-air and managed to stand firmly on the ground.
Li Sheng also felt a chill in his heart. His strike had been nearly all his strength—normally, it would have killed a strong man without difficulty. Yet Feng Dian only spat blood, proving his formidable skills.
No wonder the governor had been severely injured by him!

Li Sheng didn’t give Feng Deyin the slightest chance to breathe. He leaped into the air and slashed at Feng Deyin. His strike carried immense force—the blade’s energy was accompanied by a swirling mist as it rushed forward. Feng Deyin retreated hastily, leaving two deep marks on the ground.

“Dying demon monk!”

Li Sheng shook his wrist, swinging his sword horizontally toward Wu Jie, who was not far away beside Feng Deyin.

What a clever tactic, blending offense and defense! Li Sheng fought with relentless intensity, forcing Feng Deyin into a corner. Yet his true target was the Tibetan mage protected by his followers—the master Wu Jie, seated on a giant rock, clad in a gray robe!

As the sword flew toward him, just before touching the monk’s face, Wu Jie’s eyes sharpened. With a loud shout, he leaped into the air! His gray robe billowed, creating a whirlwind. He stepped lightly on the sword, and with a swirl of his robe, he sent a flurry of silver needles flying into the air. Like a heavy rain, the needles were coated in poison—Li Sheng clearly saw them turn instantly black! With no weapon left in his hand, how could he just sit and wait for death? He bent down and lifted the candlestick beside him. Though the candle had been extinguished by the rain, its residual heat allowed it to reignite under Li Sheng’s strong push. With dark flames, it rushed toward the silver needles!

“Sizzle, sizzle!”

A series of scorching sounds erupted in midair as the silver needles pierced the candlestick, emitting shrill cries.

“Om—Ma—Ni—Pa—Mi—Hung—Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Wu Jie threw back his gray robe, his expression fierce as he uttered a six-character mantra.

“Those who stand in my way shall die—kill humans if they block me, destroy ghosts if they stand in my path!”

At that moment, countless followers with blank expressions approached Li Sheng.

Six sounds gathered troops, fierce ghosts demanded lives, eerie noises echoed, and demons danced wildly—the scene from years ago in the valley of Zhongnan Mountain reappeared once again!