IDWBE -Chapter 446 Western Barbarians

Unexpectedly, before he could even properly sit down, the chair beneath him suddenly shattered into pieces of wood.

He was a grandmaster, so it didn’t send him sprawling onto the ground. He remained stable in his stance—but suddenly, an overwhelming force pressed down on him like a mountain collapsing. He knew he was no match.

Instinctively, he tried to dodge, but his knees went weak. With a plop, he fell to his knees.

He turned abruptly, full of resentment, and glared at the monk who sat with his eyes half-closed.

Ye Qiu sneered, “Even in front of the Prince He, you think there’s a place for you to sit? You monks really have no sense of propriety!”

In a one-on-one fight, he certainly wouldn’t be Ding Lun’s match, having suffered losses at his hands before.

Now, after being scolded by the monk, Ding Lun was understandably furious.

Those around them, however, wore strange expressions. How could Ye Qiu act so arrogantly without relying on authority?

Everyone was in disbelief—what they had just witnessed seemed real.

This world was becoming increasingly incomprehensible!

Ding Lun first glared at Ye Qiu, then turned to the Prince He and said indignantly, “The Great Liang is a supreme nation, a land of etiquette! I have always heard that the Prince He is proud, magnanimous, lofty, and carries the heart of someone above the world. And now? Is this how the Prince He treats a guest?”

Lin Yi picked up his teacup, watched the floating leaves, and after a long sip, looked at Ding Lun calmly. “I have always had one principle: if a friend comes, there is fine wine; if a wolf comes, it meets the blade. Tell me, what do you think you are? Do you even deserve to be my friend?”

Those around him felt their blood boil.

Every word the Prince He spoke carried deep meaning.

Ding Lun—

A friend cannot be a friend!

Then he must be a wolf!

So he was nothing!

“I of Nangu have maintained generations of peace and mutual respect with the Great Liang,” Ding Lun said, standing taller once the oppressive weight on his shoulders lessened. “I am the messenger of the Saint King of Nangu, the Dharma King of Tuigu Temple. Even in times of war between nations, envoys are not harmed—why does the Prince He treat me thus?”

Saint King?

Lin Yi thought for a moment and understood—it must be the Barbarian King of Nangu.

He stretched lazily and said lightly, “Let’s put it this way. I am not yet old or forgetful. I clearly remember, when you last came to see me, you were not like this. You were arrogant, acting as if you were the number one in the world. Now suddenly you speak reasonably—it feels strange. Speak. What is your meaning? I like those who speak plainly.”

Those nearby couldn’t help but chuckle at this.

Ding Lun’s face flushed red. “I fear the Prince He misunderstands. As a messenger of Nangu, I naturally hope for good relations between our nations! I would never act against our friendship! If the Prince He does not believe me, I have the official letter for your inspection.”

“Really?”

Lin Yi still didn’t fully trust him. After all, human hearts are hard to read!

He had been burned before and had to remain cautious.

“Absolutely true, I would not deceive the Prince He!”

Ding Lun carefully reached into his chest, not daring to make a sudden move. Once the pressure on his shoulders eased halfway, he slowly pulled out a thick document.

Jiao Zhong, after Lin Yi’s signal, carefully stepped forward, received it, and moved back three steps. Only then did he open the scroll. The page revealed intricate, twisting characters—tadpole-like writing he could not recognize.

When Chen Desheng arrived, he personally delivered it into He Jixiang’s hands.

“This is the Nangu script. It will need translation by Master Chen.”

He Jixiang glanced casually, then closed it and handed it to Chen Jingzhi.

Chen Jingzhi examined it quickly. “Reporting to the Prince He, this is indeed a national document from Nangu. Nangu wishes to ally with the Prince He to jointly resist the Western Barbarians.”

“What?”

Lin Yi wasn’t surprised that Chen Jingzhi could read Nangu script, only curious how the term Western Barbarians had been translated.

Chen Jingzhi looked confused, not understanding what the Prince He meant.

Lin Yi smiled. “How did the term Western Barbarians come about?”

Chen Jingzhi understood and replied quickly, “Reporting to the Prince He, in the 18th year of the Yongguang era, a group of golden-haired, large-nosed foreigners invaded Ayu. Hence, the term Western Barbarians came into use.”

“So foreign devils…”

Lin Yi thought of the late Ayu Emperor Li Fo. “These devils had been to Ayu before?”

Chen Jingzhi hurriedly explained, “It is said Li Fo had a Western Barbarian as a teacher from childhood. When he ascended the throne, this teacher was appointed a high-ranking official.”

“A Western Barbarian as a teacher?”

Lin Yi stroked his chin, curious. “The Emperor of Ayu was surprisingly open-minded.”

Foreigners had also visited Great Liang. The Yongguang Emperor had been arrogant and disliked them, sending them away with some gold and jewels.

Unlike Ayu, where they could hold positions of authority—it was astonishing.

Ding Lun spoke loudly, “Ayu was short-sighted, inviting wolves into their house, causing this great disaster!”

Lin Yi studied Ding Lun. “You seem to know a lot.”

Ding Lun replied, “I would not deceive the Prince He. Li Fo was a sovereign, heavily guarded, and a grandmaster himself—ordinary people could not approach him. Now that he is dead, the calamity is absurdly large.”

Lin Yi smiled. “If the Western Barbarians are truly so incompetent, why come all this way to seek an alliance with me?”

Ding Lun protested, “The Western Barbarians only rely on strong ships and cannons! That is nothing!”

“If I were to believe you, you’ve still traveled thousands of miles. Something must have happened in Nangu,” Lin Yi frowned after a pause. “But to claim some huge catastrophe? You are far too arrogant. This is not the attitude of someone seeking cooperation. Moreover, you secretly learned the top martial arts of Great Liang, slaughtering innocents. That is provocation against me!”

“Your pardon, Prince He,” Ding Lun felt the heavy pressure return to his shoulders and hurriedly said, “I merely admired the subtlety of the Star-Absorbing Technique. It was unintentional.

As I practiced, it felt strange—resembling the legendary Yin-Yang Eight Desolation Skill. To test my own theory, I had no choice but to resort to this extreme measure.”

Though his expression was apologetic, inwardly he did not care.

He was a Nangu envoy! The Dharma King of Tuigu Temple! How prestigious! Killing a few lowly people meant nothing.

“The Star-Absorbing Technique and Yin-Yang Eight Desolation Skill?”

Lin Yi looked at the highest-ranking monk.

“Reporting to the Prince He, as far as I know, the Yin-Yang Eight Desolation Skill is a supreme technique from Xihuang Xingchenhai,” the monk said, hands clasped. Remembering tales from the old monk in Chunshan City, he spoke slowly under everyone’s gaze: “I have never practiced it. Its strangest aspect is transferring one’s internal power to another, called ‘enlightenment.’ Even a child with no martial skill can become a top expert if someone transfers a hundred years of power into them. Compared to the Star-Absorbing Technique, which drains internal power, this is opposite in method but similar in effect.”

Enlightenment?

Everyone shuddered—this was the first time hearing the term, and it sounded terrifying.

If power could be inherited, who would bother training?

One could even imagine leaving their martial power as a legacy, passing it to descendants, generation after generation. The martial skill would be astonishing.

After the monk finished, Ding Lun cupped his hands and said, “Master, I also thought the same.”

“Yin-Yang Eight Desolation Skill.”

Lin Yi pondered for a long moment, then stated firmly, “It definitely has nothing to do with the Star-Absorbing Technique.”

He thought carefully—none of his novels mentioned such a skill. It was unrelated.

“Wise Prince He,” Ding Lun cupped his hands, “After last night’s examination, the Star-Absorbing Technique only drains internal power. It cannot transfer it. It is not the same as Yin-Yang Eight Desolation Skill.”

Lin Yi sighed. “So, just to verify your idea, you killed so many people? The Dharma King may be a high monk, but surely this is excessively cruel.”

Ding Lun hurriedly said, “Rest assured, Prince He, after this, I will personally hold a ceremony to guide their souls to the Pure Land!”

To receive his blessing would be a fortune earned over lifetimes! Those who died by his hand would bear no grievances.

“Guided to the Pure Land?”

Lin Yi smirked, his expression dark. “I suggest you first go scout the path.”

“Prince He…”

Ding Lun didn’t understand, but instinctively felt uneasy.

“No one has seen the Pure Land, no one knows where it is,” Lin Yi said darkly. “If the Dharma King can guide others, he can surely go himself. Come now, send him on his way.”

“I am the messenger of Nangu, here to seek peace!”

Ding Lun panicked. “Prince He, do not act rashly!”

“You killed so many, and still seek peace with me?”

Lin Yi snorted coldly. “What were you thinking?”

Ding Lun urgently said, “The Western Barbarians are powerful. Nangu wishes to advance and retreat with you. Please reconsider, Prince He!”

“Chatter,” Lin Yi waved impatiently. Once the blind man and Wen Zhaoyi stood before him, he said loudly, “In my Liang, killing requires death, debts require repayment. Not even the Heavenly King can change that.”

Ye Qiu suddenly spoke, “Master, your powers are supreme. Perhaps first scout the path.”

The long sword hidden in his sleeve stabbed toward Ding Lun.

“Prince—”

Ding Lun dodged and struck toward Ye Qiu, sensing a gust behind him. He withdrew and saw the monk closing in, his face pale with terror.

Before he could react, he collapsed, coughing blood, utterly incredulous.

Soon, the slate beneath his mouth was stained red.

“Some alive are as good as dead, some dead are truly dead. Society is simple, hearts are complex. I almost fell for it,” Lin Yi, disgusted by blood, covered his nose and left the garden, muttering, “No one dies unnecessarily. Chen Jingzhi, write to Chuanzhou. Find out everything about Nangu.”

“Yes.”

Chen Jingzhi could only respond.

After Lin Yi left, the monk approached Ding Lun, closed his eyes, and clasped his hands: “Amitabha, well done.”

“Master, your skill has improved further.”

The blind man was equally astonished.

Everyone knew Ding Lun’s skill level. The blind man thought he could win, but seeing the monk defeat in three moves was impossible.

Even more shocking was the speed of the monk’s improvement.

Last time, he couldn’t catch Ding Lun—now, instant defeat.

If he didn’t know the monk well, he would have thought the monk held back before.

“Master,” The blind man swallowed and said, “Do you still take disciples? I wish to apprentice under you!”

“Me too,” Lei Kaishan added, “Master, if you take me as a disciple, I wouldn’t mind becoming a monk.”

“You are too kind; I am merely lucky,” The monk replied calmly. “This man forcibly absorbed over a hundred years of internal power. His meridians were already disrupted. Even if I hadn’t acted, he would have gone mad and died.”

Lei Kaishan looked at the blind man and Ye Qiu, uncertain if the monk spoke truly or humbly.

But he was certain about one thing—the monk was correct.

If the Star-Absorbing Technique only absorbed internal power, they all would already be grandmasters.

The technique had always been cautiously passed down. It could only harm enemies; one could not absorb power to increase their own.

Some had disobeyed and tried to use absorbed power to strengthen themselves—only to explode at midnight.

It terrified many into believing the caution.

Yet, some remained skeptical, like Deputy Commander Pan Duo of the Imperial Guards.

Were Hong Ying, Ye Qiu, the blind man, and the monk truly geniuses?

Why had so many broken through the ninth-rank barrier at such young ages?

Why were they all around the Prince He?

Pan Duo strongly suspected it was the technique itself.

He thought the Star-Absorbing Technique most likely explained it.

Whether Hong Ying or the monk, they had deliberately withheld the correct method of practice.

Sometimes, Lei Kaishan almost agreed with Pan Duo, but after witnessing the monk’s prodigious skills, he felt Pan Duo’s speculation was meaningless.

Pan Duo was clever enough to become deputy commander, but sometimes overly clever.