Chapter 137 Three Great Monks
"Hmm~~"

Zhu Chengwu was stunned by Zhao Xinghan's suggestion.

This was something Zhu Chengwu had not thought of.

During the previous journey, the cities and passes along the way either surrendered or were captured by the Fu'an Marquisate. After Zhu Chengwu formed a habit, he really never thought about the possibility of bypassing Yantai Pass.

This is also because in Zhu Chengwu's mind, although it is difficult to take over the Yantai Pass in front of him, it is not impossible.

As long as Zhu Chengwu did not take action, he and the Buddhist formation and Buddhist masters in Yantai Guanzhong would form a situation of mutual restraint.

What remains is just a game of power among subordinates.

The Shaolin Temple is hidden so deeply that before taking down Zhu Chengwu, they would definitely not send too many forces to Yantai Pass to avoid being exposed.

Relying on the defense force of Yantai Guanzhong itself, although it was able to stop the large army of Fu'an Marquis Mansion for a while with the secret support of Shaolin Temple, it could not stop it forever.

However, Zhao Xinghan's suggestions gave Zhu Chengwu new ideas.

It’s not a bad idea to go around it!

What Zhao Xinghan said made sense. Zhu Chengwu's goal was only to return to the capital with appropriate forces, not to capture cities. Why bother fighting to the death here at Yantai Pass?
It is certainly exciting to directly break the Buddhist schemes led by the Shaolin Temple.

But letting the Buddhist plans led by the Shaolin Temple fail and not giving them the chance to be exposed will make them depressed, but it is also exciting.

“General Zhao, first have the soldiers retreat three miles and set up camp, and at the same time send out scouts to explore the surrounding terrain and paths.

Chief Steward Gao, please draw a geomancy map based on the information previously transmitted by the spies inside Yantai Pass and the information transmitted by the spies in the surrounding cities.

I'll give you one day. After the results come out, we'll discuss whether to take a detour."

Zhu Chengwu finally made this decision.

This time, Zhu Chengwu brought into Beijing, in addition to more than 40,000 soldiers and many martial artists, also a large number of militiamen and servants who were responsible for escorting food and supplies, making fires and cooking, and serving closely.

Adding all the people together, there are nearly 100,000 people.

With so many people, including tens of thousands of ordinary people who don't know martial arts, there are many issues to consider when changing career paths.

This is also the norm of large-scale migration in this era.

Without mechanization, even with the existence of the two extraordinary powers of warriors and spirit cultivators, there would still be a lot of people helping in the large troops' long journeys.

After all, there are specialties in the art industry!
"Yes, Lord Marquis!"

Zhao Xinghan and Gao Yao responded in unison.

Then the two of them retreated together and went to deploy their own troops.

As Zhao Yuguang and Gao Yao left, Cui Zongyan, Li Shijie, Cui Shuyun, Zhu Xiumin and others also left one after another.

After everyone left, Zhu Chengwu did not rest or regulate his breathing immediately, but sat in a daze alone.

Buddhism
Shaolin Temple~~
This is a very good opponent and Zhu Chengwu doesn't want to miss it.

As a warrior, as a warrior determined to reach an unprecedented peak in martial arts, fighting with masters of all kinds, broadening his horizons and constantly consolidating his own foundation, and finally creating an unprecedented path and ultimately achieving immortality, is Zhu Chengwu's highest pursuit now.

It is difficult to find an expert, and it is especially difficult to find a master-level expert.

The Grandmaster is the ultimate foundation of a great force. Although there are nearly thirty Grandmasters in the Ming Dynasty, there are not many chances for a Grandmaster War to break out.

Unless one is completely possessed by the devil, cuts himself off from the world and becomes an enemy of everyone in the world.

Otherwise, even if Zhu Chengwu finally ascended the throne of the Ming King, it would not be easy for him to find a legitimate reason that could convince the people of the world and would not cause the masters to attack him out of grief, so as to start a life-and-death battle with a few masters.

And now Shaolin Temple has taken the lead...

That’s a good reason!

It’s not that Zhu Chengwu wants to take risks and cannot enjoy a comfortable life, but that the opportunity is rare.

If Zhu Chengwu wants to realize his deepest desire, he must elevate the martial arts that have been developed in this world for thousands of years to at least another level.

Even with the "Jade Book", it is extremely difficult to become such a pioneer.

There is no way forward, you have to create one yourself!
"Brother Wu Se, a day and a night have passed, and Marquis Fu An has yet to enter Yantai Pass. I'm afraid our actions have been exposed!"

Just when Zhu Chengwu was confused and eager to try, in a secret place in Guanzhong, Yantai, several bald men sat cross-legged in different directions.

“Marquis Fu’an is worthy of being the descendant of Taoist Sanfeng, a martial arts legend that appears once every few hundred years. Even the Bodhi Array cannot completely blind his spiritual perception.” The colorless monk did not harbor any hope of luck.

Or in other words, in the first half day, when Zhu Chengwu did not enter Yantai Pass, the colorless monk had hoped for a lucky break.

But now a day and a night have passed, and Zhu Chengwu still has not entered Yantai Pass. All the hopes of the colorless monk have long been shattered.

As the Shaolin Temple's great master, the Colorless Monk had long passed the stage of pretending to be stubborn in the face of facts.

"Master, since we have been exposed, even if we withdraw now, I am afraid we will have offended the Marquis of Fu'an! Why don't we just leave now~"

Zen Master Fang Yuan's words made the eyelids of several masters present jump.

Although Zen Master Fangyuan did not clearly state why he went out of the city, everyone present understood.

The reason they appeared here today was for Zhu Chengwu, Marquis of Fu'an.

But they had not expected that Zen Master Fang Yuan, who had initially expressed reservations about their action but had to come because of the majority, would now be the first to speak out about going out to hunt down Marquis Fu'an.

“Without the help of the Great Wheel Mingwang Formation, it would be difficult for us to be 100% sure of keeping Fu’an Hou, the new martial arts legend. Moreover, Fu’an Hou achieved the realm of a true grandmaster two months ago. With the help of the Earth Core Fire Lotus and the Lotus Fire God, his strength must be even stronger!!”

The implicit meaning of the monk Wuwo's ​​words was that he did not agree to go out and hunt down Zhu Chengwu.

If they were to go out directly to hunt down Fu'an Hou Zhu Chengwu, then what would happen to all their previous plans?

Wouldn't it be better for the three brothers to go directly to Xuzhou City and kill Zhu Chengwu three years ago?

Although Marquis Fu'an had the geographical advantage in Xuzhou City, he had not yet become a master at that time!

Isn't it just because he is worried that the success rate is not high, allowing Marquis Fu'an to escape, and then he will take crazy revenge on Shaolin Temple decades later?

If you fail to kill the snake, you will suffer from it!
Shaolin Temple is deeply aware of this.

“Master, Uncle Wu Se and Uncle Wu Xiang, in order to increase the success rate and nip the possible threat in the bud, you have made many plans, even spending three years to integrate the Vajra Subduing Demon Circle formation of the predecessors, the Three Crossings Divine Monk, into the Shaolin Temple’s temple-guarding formation, the Great Wheel of Vidyaraja Formation, in an effort to trap and kill Fu An Hou, the new martial arts legend.

Later, he persuaded the Yantai Pass guard, this master who was close to our Buddhist sect, to defend Yantai Pass to the death, and helped him improve the strength of his subordinates, blocking the subordinates of Marquis Fu'an and forcing Marquis Fu'an to take action personally!

In order to conceal the aura and deceive Marquis Fu'an's spiritual perception, another secret formation of Shaolin Temple - the Bodhi Formation - was used.

But even after paying such a high price, what is the final result?

Fu'an Hou finally found something wrong! He was still not entering Yantai Pass!
I always think that we should not target Marquis Fu'an, but make friends with him instead!
Taoist Sanfeng’s achievements are not so easy to achieve!

And even if Marquis Fu'an achieved the same accomplishments as Taoist Sanfeng, what would that do?

At most, it's just one more big force! Aren't we getting along well with Wudang now?

Let’s control the Ming Dynasty together!
Moreover, given Marquis Fu'an's background and identity, can he really gain a foothold in the martial arts world?

At present, Marquis Fu'an has been behaving out of character, watching his subordinates being stopped by the Yantai Pass garrison without taking any action. Although we still don't know what Marquis Fu'an has discovered and to what extent he understands our plan.

But I think it's time for us to make a decision. Either we come forward to communicate with Marquis Fu'an, resolve the "misunderstanding", and help him enter the capital to seize the throne of Ming Wang. Or we go out and kill Marquis Fu'an, and destroy the threat in your eyes as soon as possible.

Master, Uncle Wu Se and Uncle Wu Xiang, we can’t hesitate any longer!

During the three years of "preparation", not only did we not take any action to befriend Marquis Fu'an, this martial arts legend, but we also did not take any action to restrict Marquis Fu'an, allowing him to make breakthroughs steadily and become a true master. If we still hesitate now, Marquis Fu'an may become a grand master one day!

That would offend Marquis Fu'an, but it would not trap Marquis Fu'an to death in the budding Shaolin Temple, which would be really dangerous! "

Zen Master Fangzheng, who had just succeeded to the position of abbot of Shaolin Temple, spoke in an earnest tone.

He felt that his master, the Divine Monk Wuwo, his uncles the Divine Monk Wuxiang and the Divine Monk Wuwo, the three great masters of the older generation of Shaolin Temple, were really too hesitant in the way they acted!

This will only make both sides unhappy!
"Fang Zheng, I understand your feelings towards Shaolin Temple, and I also understand your dissatisfaction with our decision. You think that we are actively looking for trouble with Marquis Fu'an, a new martial arts legend, when we have no contradictions or conflicts of interest with him, which will do more harm than good.

But that’s because you don’t have a deep understanding of the worries and fears of the Shaolin predecessors during the time of Taoist Sanfeng.

Shaolin Temple must never experience again the feeling that one's entire fate is in the hands of others.

After all, no one knows whether Marquis Fu'an will be satisfied with suppressing Shaolin Temple like Taoist Sanfeng once he achieves the same success as Taoist Sanfeng, or will he think about completely destroying Shaolin Temple!
We can't take any chances!

Even if it costs the lives of the three of us!

As long as we can take Marquis Fu'an with us, Shaolin Temple, which has lost the three of us, will still be the leader of the martial arts world with you and Junior Brother Fang Yuan."

This time, the monk Wuwo made his, Wuse and Wuxiang's plans very clear.

Because he could sense the doubt and dissatisfaction in the heart of Fang Zheng, the disciple who had just succeeded to the position of abbot of Shaolin.

Not only Fang Zheng, but even his fellow apprentice brother Fang Yuan had the same idea in his mind.

Not to mention Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng, even among the three brothers there were disagreements.

But in the end, the reasons he just stated became the consensus among the three brothers.

Shaolin Temple has developed very well in recent generations.

Far better than Wudang!

There are only two grandmasters in Wudang now, but there are four grandmasters in Shaolin Temple.

The three people of his generation, and Fang Yuan of the next generation.

In addition to the four grandmasters, there is also the young grandmaster Fang Zheng.

Even if the three members of the older generation died, the next generation would be able to rely on the Shaolin Temple's heritage to protect the Shaolin foundation, and the Shaolin Temple would still be the leading force in the martial arts world.

But if Fu'an Hou could reach the same height as Sanfeng Taoist, it would be completely different...

Moreover, Marquis Fu'an is a member of the royal family.

The Zhu family, the royal family of the Ming Dynasty, has always been pro-Taoism and anti-Buddhism.

Once Marquis Fu'an comes to power, who knows when, he will think of suppressing Buddhism, or even destroying Shaolin Temple, the number one Buddhist sect!
Although this possibility may just be an unfounded worry, it is not completely impossible.

If they have the strength, they should nip the danger in the bud.

"Master, two uncles, since you must attack Marquis Fu'an, and you are determined to kill him in one go, then come out of retreat!

Although Marquis Fu'an did not enter the pass, we lost the geographical advantage.

But Marquis Fu'an, who left Xuzhou City, also lost the geographical advantage.

As for the harmony of people, let the commander of Yantai Pass lead the soldiers to counterattack and delay the army of Marquis Fu'an.

Junior Brother Fang Zheng came out to unify the warriors in Yantai Pass and went out to hold back the warriors under the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion. Although there was a big gap in the number of warriors on both sides, as long as Junior Brother Fang Zheng showed up, I believed that most of the warriors under the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion would no longer do their best for Fu'an Marquis, and some might even defect!

Master and two uncles will take the main attack with the Great Wheel Mingwang Formation, and I will assist from the side!

I don’t believe that we can’t take down Marquis Fu’an this way.”

After hearing what his uncle, the monk Wuwo, said, Zen Master Fangyuan gave a direct suggestion.

Although he had reservations at first, he was determined. Zen Master Fang Yuan was particularly resolute and decisive.

“But doing so is inconsistent with the philosophy of the Shaolin Temple!

Let the guards of Yantai Pass leave the city, and let nephew Fang Zheng come out to unite the warriors and fight fiercely with the warriors under the command of Marquis Fu'an...

Will this damage the image of our Shaolin Temple of compassion? "

The monk Wuxiang did not quite agree with the opinion of his nephew, Zen Master Fangyuan.

This is the difficulty of decision-making for top powers.

There are many factions, many experts, and many ideas. Once there is no absolute ruler who has the final say, it is difficult to reach a consensus quickly.

Although there are four grandmasters in Shaolin Temple at this stage, and the number of grandmasters has reached a peak, there is no top grandmaster (grand grandmaster), and there is a lack of someone who can make the final decision.

Moreover, deep down in his heart, the Wuxiang monk did not want to fight to the death with Zhu Chengwu.

It is too dangerous to fight with a martial arts legend like Zhu Chengwu, Marquis of Fu'an, who has already achieved the status of a master.

In order to ensure the success rate, the three great monks Wu Se, Wu Xiang and Wu Wo even practiced the forbidden Shaolin techniques.

Make sure that if it is impossible to successfully surround and kill Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an, he will use forbidden techniques and die together with Zhu Chengwu.

Master Fangyuan, a disciple of his senior brother Wu Se Divine Monk, has become a grandmaster. Master Fangzheng, a disciple of his junior brother Wu Wo Divine Monk, has also become a junior grandmaster and has taken over the position of abbot of Shaolin Temple. However, his most outstanding disciple, Master Fangsheng, is still at the first-class level and has only one position as the chief seat of the Arhat Hall.

The divine monk Wuxiang still wanted to protect Zen Master Fangsheng for a few more years.

However, the monk Wuxiang could not always oppose the "correct" actions of his senior brothers Wu Se and Wu Wo, which were well-reasoned and "correct".

In addition, besieging and killing Zhu Chengwu would not necessarily force them to die together.

The three great monks practiced the forbidden Shaolin techniques just to take precautions.

In addition, the monk Wuxiang still has feelings for Shaolin Temple deep in his heart, and does not want the thousand-year heritage of Shaolin Temple to be threatened.

So in the end, the monk Wuxiang was persuaded by his senior brothers Wu Se and Wu Wo.

"Junior brother..."

Just when the Colorless Divine Monk, the leader of the three great divine monks of the older generation, was about to say something, a violent vibration interrupted the words from the Colorless Divine Monk's mouth.

(End of this chapter)