Chapter 338: Establishing a Sect

Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Establishing a Sect

Shangdu Gate Mountain, a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

Legend has it that this was once where the Taoist Ancestor Lv Dongbin cultivated.

Standing atop Damen Mountain, with mist rising from below, felt like standing among the clouds.

Song Hongjun brought his entire family to the front of the Great Buddha Temple on Damen Mountain.

Whenever he encountered difficulties in his life or career, he liked to bring his family here to worship.

As they say, sincerity is rewarded!

Song Hongjun believed he was destined for greatness. Otherwise, how could a nobody like him from a poor, remote village become such a powerful figure in Shangdu City?

After offering incense at the Great Buddha Temple, Song Hongjun turned and asked, "Has that Staff Captain from the Northern Domain arrived yet?"

"Not only has Captain Feng arrived, but he also brought a whole team of men!" his subordinate replied excitedly.

Overjoyed, Song Hongjun ordered the temple to prepare a banquet as he led his family out to greet their guests.

The Captain from the Northern Domain’s Intelligence Hall appeared, leading a group of men.

Captain Feng was about forty years old and had long since retired. He had started a security company that, while ostensibly providing bodyguard services, actually specialized in ’smoothing things over’ for people.

The men he recruited were all scum from the Battle Department.

They were either members who had been expelled or deserters who had fled from battle.

Though men of low character, they were all crafty veterans from the Battle Department and knew how to handle themselves.

Relying on this band of brothers, Captain Feng was thriving in Shangdu.

As he walked up the mountain path, he clasped his hands in salute from a distance. "President Song, I’ve heard so much about you."

Song Hongjun laughed heartily and went straight to shake his hand. "Captain Feng, a man from the Northern Domain—now that’s a true hero! This way, please!"

As he led Captain Feng and his men inside, Song Hongjun pointed to the temple. "I funded the construction of this temple. This is my turf."

Captain Feng expressed his admiration once again.

Inside the Great Buddha Temple, the aroma of meat drifted through the air.

Captain Feng’s men were all stunned.

Song Hongjun chuckled. "Who says monks don’t eat meat? The masters I shelter here have no qualms about wine or meat!"

A glint flashed in Captain Feng’s eyes, and he understood immediately.

’What kind of temple is this? It’s just Song Hongjun’s den.’

’This guy is really something, setting up the headquarters for his illicit businesses inside a temple on Damen Mountain. I bet no one would ever suspect it.’

After three rounds of drinks, Song Hongjun’s expression grew grim. "To be frank with you, Captain Feng, I sent Wen Bin to the hospital to find that Qin fellow, but I lost contact with him. I’m afraid he’s been captured. Luckily, I sent another team, and they managed to grab Song Mingzhu and bring her back!"

He lightly slapped the table. "I underestimated that Qin fellow. He’s much more capable than I thought, which is why I asked for your help, Mr. Feng."

At this, Song Hongjun lowered his voice. "Years ago, I took care of a guy named Chen Shaohua. He was from the Northern Domain Battle Department, so I don’t know what their official position is on the matter."

Captain Feng, his face flushed from the alcohol, rubbed his head. "Chen Shaohua? Don’t worry about him. He was buried a long time ago. The other day in the veterans’ group chat, someone said his grave was even rebuilt. The Battle Department reported it as meritorious service and honored him as a hero. The matter is probably closed."

A weight was lifted from Song Hongjun’s heart.

’As long as the Battle Department doesn’t press the issue, it doesn’t matter who else comes knocking.’

Captain Feng was also drunk and began to run his mouth. "Let me tell you, President Song, the Northern Domain Battle Department has no time to mess with you right now. They can’t even look after themselves, you know? The Night Emperor’s Six Halls and Ninth Army have been split up. What do you think that means? It means the Imperial Capital has made its move!"

Song Hongjun listened with rapt attention. "So, you’re saying the Northern Domain Night Emperor is losing his grip?"

"Our boss, the Night Emperor, is incredibly skilled, so you can’t say he’s finished. He’s just not as untouchable as he used to be." Captain Feng slapped his chest. "Don’t worry. Wen Bin is my brother. I’ll treat the Song Family’s business as my own!"

Song Hongjun was delighted. He raised his glass in a toast and started boasting as well, "That’s right! What do I have to fear? I have Vice Governor Yuan Shanhe watching my back. Is there anyone in Shangdu City more powerful than Governor Yuan?"

As the two men were busy flattering each other, one of the Song Family’s subordinates rushed in and announced, "That Qin guy—he’s here!"

Song Hongjun shot to his feet. "How many people are with him?"

"It looks like he’s alone!"

’Alone?’

Song Hongjun grinned menacingly and slammed his wine cup down. "Gather all the security guards on our payroll! We’ll take him out at the foot of the mountain!"

In an instant, the Song Family’s security guards, disciples, and Song Hongjun’s god-sons had set up eight checkpoints along the only path up Damen Mountain!

They were arranged in layers, with the weakest group of cannon fodder sent to the very bottom of the mountain.

Even if they couldn’t stop Qin Tianxuan, they could at least wear down his stamina.

Captain Feng leaped to his feet as well, waving to the elite men he had brought with him. "Guard the main gate! He probably won’t even make it this far, but if he does..."

Before he could finish, a loud BANG echoed from outside the temple!

Huh?

The Song Family members looked over in shock.

The outer gate had been smashed to pieces, and Song Family security guards were being thrown inside one after another.

Then came the family disciples.

And finally, the god-sons.

All of these men lay strewn about the temple’s outer courtyard, screaming in agony.

’What the hell is going on?’

Everyone there was completely dumbfounded.

Then came a deep, resonant BONG.

It was the sound of the great bronze bell outside the mountain gate being struck.

The tolling was incessant, like a death knell.

Captain Feng’s mouth hung wide open, and he couldn’t seem to close it.

His most trusted elite men let out a battle cry and charged outside.

All that followed was the sickening CRACK of breaking bones, and then, silence.

One of the braver Song Family members mustered the courage to peek outside, then scrambled back, scared out of his wits. "It’s... it’s that Qin guy..."

Song Hongjun trembled and looked over at Captain Feng.

Captain Feng was now looking at the ground, shrinking back and pretending he hadn’t seen a thing.

Song Hongjun gritted his teeth. "I-It’s fine! This is my headquarters. There’s a fully fueled helicopter out back. I can leave whenever I want..."

He hadn’t even finished speaking when a plume of black smoke shot into the sky from behind the temple.

The subordinate in charge of guarding the helicopter ran up, covered in soot, his voice choked with tears. "President Song, the helicopter is gone! Our cars... all our cars are destroyed!"

Song Hongjun’s vision went dark. "Fuck! How many of them are there?"

"It’s just one person! But he moves like a ghost! We couldn’t even see him clearly!"

The sound of explosions continued to ring out.

Song Hongjun’s eyes turned bloodshot. "Everyone, to the panic room!"

The panic room was located at the very back of the Great Buddha Temple. The rear was made of reinforced concrete, but the front was sealed by a ten-meter-long slab of Dragon Stone!

This stone was said to be able to stop an armor-piercing round!

The Song Family members scrambled into the panic room, crying and screaming, while Captain Feng huddled among them.

The giant stone descended, locking into the high walls of the inner courtyard, creating a supposedly foolproof seal.

Inside the panic room, Song Hongjun watched the security monitors, wiping away sweat as he laughed manically. "Let’s see what you do now! Go ahead, wait outside! I have plenty of food in here! I’m not afraid!"

Despite his bravado, he had already pissed himself in fear, and his legs wouldn’t stop shaking.

At that exact moment, Qin Tianxuan appeared like a phantom. He raised the military bayonet in his hand and brought it down in a single, powerful slash!

With a deafening crash, the force of the blow slammed the heavy Dragon Stone downwards in its housing, instantly sending cracks spider-webbing through the surrounding wall.

There was another colossal BOOM.

The massive stone blocking the inner courtyard gate split clean in two, as if it had been cleaved by an Immortal’s sword.

This was a giant slab of rock!

With this one strike, Qin Tianxuan had practically split a mountain!