If one had to name the most dazzling figure in the Buddhist Kingdom today, it would be none other than Meng Junzi. He was drawn to Buddhist teachings, harbored kind intentions, and had just recently joined the Buddhist Kingdom.

In his pursuit of the Heartless Creed members, Meng Junzi displayed his divine might across the Buddhist Kingdom with an awe-inspiring presence. Even in this land where communication was inconvenient, news of his deeds spread like wildfire.

In comparison, the news of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou attending the Buddha Bathing Festival circulated only among a handful of cities, which was utterly unremarkable.

The more Meng Junzi thought about it, the more he felt that Yun Zhi’s little junior brother was a promising talent. He could already provide me with such an amazing opportunity by just visiting the Buddhist Kingdom once.

“If Yun Zhi weren’t keeping such a close watch on him, I would do whatever it takes to drag him into our Meng Family.

“Never mind, I shall not think about all this.” Meng Junzi shook his head, tossing aside his worries. I should properly enjoy my time in the Buddhist Kingdom.

“Little Ming, you carry on with your tasks. I’ll continue with the arrests.” Meng Junzi greatly enjoyed the feeling of being worshipped and revered; it was quite intoxicating.

The last time I’d received such treatment was during the conquest wars a hundred thousand years ago.

Master Mingyu could tell that Meng Junzi was genuinely devoted to capturing the Heartless Creed and to showing off his majestic might before the masses in the process.

I can accept this. It’s better that he doesn’t linger at our Xitian Temple, lest he discern our true support and stir up trouble for no reason.

~~~

Tianwang City[1] was one of the Buddhist Kingdom’s twelve premier large cities. The abbot of Tianwang Temple was at the Intermediate Transcendent Tribulation Stage. He was well-versed in Buddhist teachings and possessed extraordinary power.

Dark clouds loomed over the city as torrential rain poured. Meng Junzi arrived in Tianwang City. He strolled through the rain without a single drop touching him, recalling the memories he obtained from a soul search.

Ever since the Taciturn Daoist Priest had broken through to the Transcendent Tribulation Stage and captured a vice creed leader of the Heartless Creed, Great Xia had launched a massive crackdown, wiping out the Heartless Creed’s lower and middle ranks. Only the creed’s higher-ups remained, barely clinging to existence.

Worried about Great Xia capturing them in one fell swoop, the Heartless Creed higher-ups adopted a one-way communication system. The creed leader would issue orders to the vice creed leaders, who would then relay them to the elders.

Occasionally, however, elders would communicate privately for various reasons.

From the memories of a previously captured Heartless Creed elder, Meng Junzi learned that another elder was hiding in Tianwang City.

“Let me choose this place.”

Meng Junzi turned into a narrow alley. At its end was a shabby little shop, which didn’t even have a name.

Based on Meng Junzi’s experience in seeking out good food, it was precisely in such remote places and such rundown small establishments that one often found truly amazing delicacies.

He transmitted an auditory message to the Transcendent Tribulation old ancestors of the Meng Family. “Drive them over here later. Leave the rest to me.”

“Yes!” The old ancestors replied in unison.

Meng Junzi stepped into the small shop with a smile. Unlike its filthy exterior, the interior was clean and tidy, evoking a sense of comfort.

He looked around but saw no menu. This made him increasingly convinced that the shop’s owner must be an expert.

“Boss, what specialties do you have here?” Meng Junzi called toward the kitchen.

Hearing a customer, a female cook in a gray dress lifted the kitchen curtain and emerged from the back kitchen, spatula in hand.

Meng Junzi froze at the sight of her.

The female cook’s features were exquisite, as if carved by a master artisan, her beauty breathtaking.

Meng Junzi was stunned to see such a beautiful cook in such a small place. Even Moonchaser, who was hailed as the number one beauty a hundred thousand years ago, pales in comparison. Only Yun Zhi can rival her.

Her demeanor is much like Yun Zhi’s as well—cold and aloof, with an air that warns strangers to keep their distance.

Meng Junzi smiled to himself. It would be a good idea to show off my majestic might before this beautiful cook.

“Boss, do you have a menu?”

“No, I cook as I see fit. Do you want to eat?” The female cook showed not the slightest trace of warmth to this rare customer. She remained cold and distant.

“Then give me a serving.” Meng Junzi wasn’t bothered by her attitude.

“Alright.” Without another word, she turned and went back into the kitchen. Soon, the sound of chopping could be heard.

Before long, an aroma wafted from the kitchen. The female cook walked out with a plate of paste and a bowl of rice.

The fragrance had emanated from the paste.

Meng Junzi straightened his back slightly, expressing his respect for delicacies. He had eaten many pastes, but none smelled as inviting as this one.

He tasted a spoonful of the paste. His face contorted in dismay before he spat it out.

“Why is it so salty? How much salt did you add?!”

Despite having lived for a hundred thousand years, Meng Junzi had never tasted anything so unpleasant!

The female cook snorted coldly. “Philistine.”

“I...”

Meng Junzi told himself he wouldn’t stoop to arguing with a mortal. He straightened his clothes, struck a pose, and waited calmly for his prey to walk into his trap.

~~~

The rain continued to pour. Bai Hun, a Heartless Creed elder, sprinted frantically through the rain, inwardly cursing.

Several Transcendent Tribulation cultivators had been closing in on him. Fortunately, he had a few life-preserving tricks up his sleeve and managed to escape, though at the cost of grievous wounds.

He clutched his side. Blood flowed profusely, but he didn’t even have the time to tend to his injuries.

Bai Hun knew those Transcendent Tribulation cultivators were still in Tianwang City, searching for him with their spiritual consciousness. He had no choice but to disguise himself as a mortal and hide wherever he could.

At some point, he ducked into an alley, at the far end of which was a shabby eatery.

With nowhere left to run, Bai Hun broke through the curtain of rain and burst into the small shop, hoping the Transcendent Tribulation cultivators wouldn’t find him.

Inside, he only found a customer and a female cook, both mortals.

“I’m safe for now.” Bai Hun relaxed, no longer sensing the Transcendent Tribulation cultivators’ spiritual consciousness.

A voice sounded in his ear. “Are you really safe?”

It was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, causing him to jolt in fright.

“Who is it?!” He shot to his feet and quickly locked his gaze on the customer.

The well-groomed customer leisurely blew on a spoonful of paste. He looked at Bai Hun, an inscrutable smile spreading across his visage. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

“Elder Bai Hun of the Heartless Creed, I presume?” The customer’s tone remained indifferent, yet it sent chills down Bai Hun’s spine, as if some primordial ferocious beast had set its sights on him.

“Who are you?!” Bai Hun felt as though he was facing a formidable foe. A thin sheen of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. As a Heartless Creed elder, I’m supposed to be heartless, yet here I am, trembling with fear!

The customer set down his spoon and wiped his mouth. “Perhaps you’ve heard of my name. I am Meng Junzi.”

The immortal Meng Junzi!

Bai Hun staggered several steps backward, as if he had seen a ghost.

“Y-y-you...”

Is it finally my turn to be captured by Meng Junzi himself?

“Take your business outside. Don’t cause trouble in my shop.” The female cook chased them away coldly.

Meng Junzi turned and smiled. “Don’t be afraid, miss. With me here, you’re perfectly safe.”

“Putting on airs in front of me? Are you deaf? I told you to get out.”

Right after the words left her mouth, she lashed out with a kick, sending Meng Junzi flying out the door!

Meng Junzi tumbled through the rain, spinning several times before regaining his balance. He stared in disbelief at the peerlessly beautiful cook who now stood outside the shop.

1. “Tianwang” can be translated to “heavenly king.” ☜