Chapter 624 — First Show of Might
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
Shen Mu's heart sank a little. This Mituo Temple was most likely the Heavenly Court's sphere of influence, a force the Heavenly Court had planted in the Buddha realm!
"Grandpa Huo has found me a fine errand."
He could not help but feel a headache coming on. They had only just arrived in the Buddha realm, and already the Heavenly Court's forces meant to give them a show of force — their intent was certainly not friendly!
Monk Chenghuai said: "Senior brother, we have come to study, not to pit our divine powers against anyone. Once we have learned the supreme wondrous Dharma, we will return to the lower world. We do not wish to offend senior brothers of the upper world."
They came to the mountain gate of Mituo Temple. The monk smiled: "Only in contest does one learn who is long and who is short. What offense is there in that? Go in!" With that he pushed them from behind into the temple, then shut the gate.
Shen Mu, Xuanliao the Demon Ape, and Chenghuai looked ahead. Before them ran a mountain path, and along both sides of it, every ten paces or so, stood a pair of monks with staffs in hand, their faces grave.
At the summit of Mituo Temple, a young monk in a yellow robe shouted: "Worship the Buddha, bow to the Buddha, and come up the mountain on your knees!"
Xuanliao the Demon Ape and Chenghuai frowned slightly. Chenghuai said in a low voice: "Cult Master Shen, what do we do? Must we truly bow and knock our heads all the way up? Our way back is already blocked."
At the mountain gate, many monks with torches and weapons barred the way.
"No matter."
Shen Mu smiled: "Do not raise a hand. Just walk up the mountain."
Xuanliao the Demon Ape and Chenghuai strode up the slope. The young monk at the summit narrowed his eyes and shouted: "Strike!"
Along both sides of the path, the monks swung their staffs down at the three!
Shen Mu's sword pill flew out in an instant and became a great ball some three zhang across, blazing with light, sword-gleam wreathing it. With a hum it shredded the robes of the monks who came striking with their staffs. The monk stood there bare as an egg, not knowing what to do.
"Senior brothers of Mituo Temple!"
Shen Mu flicked his fingers, and the sword ball went howling up the mountain path. Wherever it passed, the monks standing along both sides were stripped bare in the blink of an eye; in a panic the monks flung down their staffs and covered their privates.
Shen Mu said in a loud, clear voice: "Have you ever seen a sharira this big?"