The Affairs of the Martial World - Vol 2: Chapter 16

Zhu Que, Fuying, Mu Qingshan, and others buried the three monks of White Horse Temple in a pit. Fuying casually found the monk’s ordination certificate from one of the monks’ robes. Upon opening it, he discovered a note inside, which stated that the three had come here to seek treasure because the temple needed reconstructing the golden statue of the Buddha. They had gone out to collect alms and happened to encounter Zhang San, who then gave the monks the treasure map, allowing them to find the treasure, which would count as Zhang San’s charity.

Three monks thought that if they found the treasure, it would be a great merit for the temple, so they came here. Little did they know, this was not a treasure map but a death warrant.

Zhu Que and Fuying exchanged glances, and Fuying bowed to the burial site of the three, saying, “I thought the masters were evil people; it was truly my narrow-mindedness in judging the masters. I hope the masters, in the afterlife, can understand and forgive me.”

Fuying was a straightforward person. When he realized he was wrong, he immediately admitted it.

Baying watched them bury the monks’ bodies and couldn’t help but say, “They’re already dead; what’s the point of going through the effort to bury them?”

Zhu Que said, “People often say that things hurt their kind, and Confucius also said, ‘Do not impose on others what you do not desire for yourself.’ Do you really want to die and have your body left to rot in the wilderness?”

Baying let out a cold laugh and stopped arguing with him. After burying the three monks, Mu Qingshan and the others bid farewell to Zhu Que. They all advised Zhu Que to be careful, and Zhu Que nodded. After spending these days together, they had developed a fondness for each other.

Zhu Que watched them mount the camels and headed east. Turning to Baying, he said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to find the treasure. I hope that after you obtain the treasure, you will leave the desert and no longer harm the passing merchants nor commit any more heinous acts.”

Baying said, “Do you think being a robber is a good feeling? I’m doing this business to survive, to support the lives of my dozens of brothers. I’ve been sick of this place for a long time. Once we take the treasures, we’ll leave immediately and live the life of a wealthy man.”

Zhu Que and Fuying led the way ahead, heading toward the ancient city of Jingjue.

On the way, Fuying asked, “Since this Baying is the legendary The Burst of Wind, does that mean the two boxes of treasures he gave you are fake?”

Zhu Que nodded and said, “It’s fake; both boxes are filled with sand. At that time, I really thought he was the treasure guard. To prevent others from coming to search for it, I took these two boxes to make others believe that I had already taken all the treasures. Who knew I still fell for this old fox’s trick.”

Fuying said, “Since that’s the case, why are we still carrying this burden?”

Zhu Que said, “It’s still the same, let others think that the treasure was taken by me.”

Fuying said, “Do you think that after Baying leads us to the treasure, he will really let us go?”

Zhu Que said, “When did you start learning to be a good child?”

Fuying’s old face flushed red, already knowing that Zhu Que thought the same as he did; he certainly was not someone who would willingly submit and await execution.

After a silent journey, they finally arrived at the ruins of the ancient city on a scorching afternoon.

Zhu Que and the others had been here before with Baying, but who knew that everything had changed? The three monks of White Horse Temple were also buried in the vast desert. The grand procession that had come was now reduced to just Zhu Que and Fuying, and it was uncertain whether the two of them could return safely.

The group of people dismounted from their camels in front of the palace. After eating and drinking their fill, Zhu Que led them to the sleep quarters of King Jingjue.

According to the treasure map, there was a switch in front of the bed in the sleeping chamber. When activated, a doorway opens in the north wall, revealing a stone staircase leading down. Baying instructed a man named Suo Du to take a torch and go down to investigate.

After Suo Du went down, it wasn’t long before a cheer erupted, followed by the shout, “You all come and see!”