Chapter 112, Mao Ziyuan and the White Lotus Spirit Sutra

Translator: StarReader

 

Over ten thousand pirates stood with weapons drawn, bows taut, staring in terror at the mysterious blue-clad cultivator before them. Fear gripped them, each step retreating as they beheld a true immortal—not some charlatan like those fake Daoists.

 

Daoist Han Shan, revered by all, and Mao Ziyuan, with his eccentric methods, had many followers, yet none dared claim to be an immortal themselves. The blue-clad cultivator’s display of power was no mere illusion; he decimated Han Shan, Mao, and Liu Hong—three Grandmasters—in an instant, routing them in a flurry.

 

Liu Hong, leader of the Whale Gang, lay unconscious on the battlefield, carried away by his vice-leader, Li Biao. Mao Ziyuan hid among his disciples, too frightened to show his face. Han Shan, on the shores of the Vastest Lake, had taken his own life.

 

Han Shan’s death dashed the pirates’ last hopes. Chaos reigned; ten thousand pirates were left leaderless, unable to rally even with their numbers. A cry rang out: “The Daoist is dead! There’s no hope now—everyone, flee for your lives!” The pirates scattered like floodwaters through the Northern Swamp.

 

Su Chen glanced at Han Shan’s remains before darting into the pirate ranks, chasing after Liu Hong and Mao Ziyuan. “This is our chance to wipe out the Whale Gang! Kill one pirate, earn ten silver taels!”

 

Li Shuo seized the opportunity as the pirates began to crumble. “Kill them all!” he commanded, leading eight thousand elite soldiers and martial disciples in pursuit of the Whale Gang and White Lotus Society alliance.

 

“Brothers, kill those pirates!”

 

“Kill—!”

 

The brave warriors, young heroes, and martial disciples had been pent up with a powerful resolve. They charged forth now, brandishing their weapons, sweeping across the mountains like a tide in pursuit of the pirates and White Lotus remnants.

 

West Cave Mountain Island was a gruesome sight, bodies littering the reeds and shores of Vastest Lake.

 

…

 

Su Chen burst into the pirate ranks, seized one of their leaders, and demanded to know where Vice Leader Li Biao and Liu Hong had gone.

 

The pirate captain, terrified, confessed that the leader had fled into the Northern Swamp. Su Chen immediately gave chase.

 

Minutes later, he hadn’t found Liu Hong or Li Biao but stumbled upon Mao Ziyuan, leader of the White Lotus Society, desperately fleeing with his disciples surrounding him.

 

Mao Ziyuan reached the lake’s edge, turned around, and saw Su Chen standing ten yards away. He was petrified, teeth chattering.

 

“Mercy, please! I’ve been forced into this by Daoist Han Shan and Liu Hong; I’d never dare oppose you!” Mao Ziyuan pleaded, falling to his knees in abject surrender.

 

Su Chen frowned. This notorious Lou County cult leader was surprisingly spineless.

 

Yet Su Chen didn’t strike immediately; he had another question. “Where did you learn that dark sorcery?”

 

“Immortal, those golden talismans were all sold to me by Daoist Han Shan, that rogue. The only art I truly know is this one from the White Lotus Spirit Sutra.” Mao Ziyuan hurriedly took out a green pouch from his waistband, holding it high above his head with both hands before offering it.

 

Su Chen coldly accepted the pouch. “Where did you get this?”

 

“Some forty years ago, while I was cultivating in the mountains, I stumbled upon a skeleton of an immortal. Beside its remains lay this green pouch. Inside were an immortal book and some spiritual seeds. Overjoyed by such a find, I used the pouch to deceive people in Lou County, becoming their leader. But I knew there were many powerful figures outside, so I hid within Lou County, cultivating in secret, never causing trouble or harm. I only took in homeless commoners, offering them food if they joined my White Lotus Society.

 

“The martial groups kept us locked out, refusing to let us establish a foothold in Lou County. You, dressed as Medicine King Group’s disciple, should know that I’ve never left Lou County to fight for territory or engage in martial disputes.

 

“Then, last year, Daoist Han Shan and Liu Hong came to Lou County, saying the world was about to descend into chaos and suggesting we join forces for a grand scheme. They planned to seize the Wu Region first, then sweep through Jiangnan, claiming territory as our kingdom. They threatened that if I refused, they’d destroy my White Lotus Society first.

 

“I feared for myself, but not for my own life. If I fell, what would happen to the thousands of disciples and innocents in my society? With me here, at least no martial group would dare harm Lou County’s people.

 

“To tempt me further, Daoist Han Shan sold me those golden talismans. In a moment of weakness and fearing their threats, I caved and joined them. This wasn’t my wish, Immortal. Please don’t punish me!”

 

Mao Ziyuan prostrated himself in tears. Su Chen silently regarded him.

 

Lou County indeed was one of the rare peaceful regions in the Wu Region, protecting its people from martial groups’ oppression. But whether the White Lotus Society would do the same, Su Chen couldn’t tell. Mao Ziyuan might not be as wicked as Han Shan or Liu Hong, but once he left Lou County and joined this Vastest Lake War, his fate was sealed.

 

Su Chen didn’t speak, opening the green pouch to find a scroll of immortal book, the White Lotus Spirit Sutra. “Art One: Bean Soldiers. Spiritual yellow beans, nurtured through special cultivation methods into formation beans. Incantation: ‘Formation beans, all arrayed at the front!'”

 

“Art Two: Grass Horses. Spiritual lotus roots, cultivated through special methods into spiritual horse grass. Incantation: ‘Spiritual horse grass, all arrayed at the front!'”

 

“Art Three: Gourd Vine Soldiers. A single spiritual gourd vine, cultivated into a strand of gourd vine warriors. Incantation: ‘Gourd vine warriors, all arrayed at the front!'”

 

Su Chen flipped through the initial pages of the White Lotus Spirit Sutra, eyebrows raising in surprise. Instead of an immortal cultivation method, it was filled with intricate spiritual arts. Among these were three notable ones, but there were others within its pages.

 

He planned to study this White Lotus Spirit Sutra thoroughly once he had free time.

 

Su Chen turned the green pouch inside out, finding nothing but yellow spirit beans and a few spiritual grass seeds, along with some gourd seeds. However, these spirit beans were shriveled, emitting a faint, weak spiritual energy.

 

Realization dawned on Su Chen. These beans were severely lacking in spiritual energy, rendering them powerless if summoned. The White Lotus Spirit Sutra required these spiritual objects to execute its arts, but the ones here were too weak for anything but trivial displays of power against common foes.

 

“Doesn’t Daoist Han Shan know you had the White Lotus Spirit Sutra? Didn’t he want it for himself?” Su Chen mused aloud.

 

Mao Ziyuan, leader of the White Lotus Society, hurriedly explained, “The spiritual arts in the White Lotus Spirit Sutra can’t be cast directly. I have to grow these Temporary Bean first. But ordinary places can’t cultivate them. I need a spirit field to do that.

 

“I managed to find a small patch of spirit field on an island at Cast Mountain Lake. But the yield is extremely low. It takes a year to produce just one bean, which grows dozens of pods. Over ten years, I’ve barely grown a few hundred beans.

 

“Daoist Han Shan once asked about my spiritual art, but he found these Temporary Beans too difficult to cultivate. He had talisman-making methods and wasn’t interested in my spiritual book either.

 

“I’m puzzled why these beans aren’t as powerful as described in immortal books. They’re barely enough to scare off ordinary warriors.”

 

Su Chen interrupted, “Tell me about Daoist Han Shan.”

 

Mao Ziyuan replied. “He casually mentioned once that he came from an immortal city called Zhaoge—a paradise for immortals. But I wouldn’t dare ask about his past!”

 

“Where’s Zhaoge?” Su Chen asked sharply.

 

Mao Ziyuan’s voice trembled, “It’s an immortal gathering place, beyond our world! How would I know where it is? Daoist Han Shan just casually mentioned it once.”

 

He cautiously glanced up. “You’re an immortal. Don’t you know?”

 

Su Chen gave him a cold stare.

 

Internally, Su Chen was disappointed. Mao Ziyuan wasn’t a true immortal cultivator after all. Even with the lead about Zhaoge, finding it in this vast world would be challenging.

 

“Please spare my life!” Mao Ziyuan begged.

 

Mao Ziyuan trembled, realizing his folly. He prostrated himself on the ground, begging for mercy. “Your pleas are futile!” Su Chen said coldly, tucking away his medical pouch.

 

“You’re one of the three main pirates from the Vastest Lake battle. My brother Ah Chou’s death may not be on your hands, but you’re far from innocent. The court’s governor and Li Shuo, leader of our martial group, won’t spare you. Take your life.

 

“Rebellion is a capital crime that dooms one’s entire clan. None of the three thousand White Lotus members who took part in this battle on the island will escape their fate. As for the old, weak women and children of the White Lotus Society back in Lou County—their families and kin—I’ll speak with Governor Zhao, ask him to show some mercy, and leave them a way to live.”

 

Mao Ziyuan sighed, “Thank you, Immortal.” Trapped and resigned to his fate, he looked around at the thousands of White Lotus Society disciples kneeling nearby. No one dared defy an immortal’s power.

 

He drew his sword, slit his throat, and collapsed in a pool of blood. “We thank you, immortal!” cried his followers, drawing their blades and committing suicide en masse. Surrounded on the island, they had no escape.

 

Su Chen watched silently, shook his head, and then left to pursue Liu Hong and Li Biao.