Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 131 - 127: Cunningly Seizing Power, the Demon Re-emerges (3/3)

Chapter 131: Chapter 127: Cunningly Seizing Power, the Demon Re-emerges (3/3)

Lian Wenzhao had done his homework before coming; Song Lin was currently the strongest disciple in Jiuyou.

He was also the one who exposed the demon, earning the highest reputation among the crowd.

Moreover, he led everyone to set up camp at Hidden Sword Manor.

If Song Lin could be taken down, everything else would fall into place.

"Where should I start?"

Lian Wenzhao pondered deeply. Resorting to brute force was out of the question; it would only deepen the rift between them. But using purely soft tactics wouldn’t work either.

He could only employ a mix of firmness and kindness—first wield the stick, then offer the carrot. Only then could this man be subdued.

"Let’s see if he’s wise enough to know what’s good for him," Lian Wenzhao thought.

After all, he carried direct orders from the Taoist master. If he adopted a cooperative attitude, perhaps he could even be rewarded with a position in the Three Capitals.

If he proved too obstinate, then suppressing this highly influential man would be the only option.

Soon, a group of people arrived at Hidden Sword Manor.

Thousands of Rampant Soldiers treaded upon auspicious clouds, casting shadows over the ground below.

The villagers residing around Hidden Sword Manor and the nearby peaks immediately grew disturbed, fearing another wave of demons coming to wreak havoc.

Song Lin took his men and ascended skyward.

Spotting the elderly Taoist with snow-white temples and a crane-like demeanor, Song Lin furrowed his brow and asked, "You are?"

"Benevolent Taoist Song Lin, this humble one is Lian Wenzhao, disciple of Scripture Master Zhao Wuji. I come today under the Daoist master’s command to aid you."

"Oh, is that so? Then come down and join us for a seat first."

Lian Wenzhao ordered the Rampant Soldiers away and descended with his trusted aides, who remained close to him.

Though still at the Foundation Establishment Breakthrough stage, Lian Wenzhao was nearing the Core Formation Stage. The five men beside him were all masters of Divine Establishment.

The group sat in the main hall, and Song Lin summoned the temple’s Eight Deacons and other high-ranking members of the Three Capitals.

Lian Wenzhao introduced himself again before presenting an official document.

It bore the seal of Huoyun Taoist and detailed the stakes involved.

Song Lin immediately realized that the proverbial "peach plucker" had arrived.

He had anticipated such an event long ago, though he didn’t think it would happen so quickly.

"The Daoist master worries you cannot hold the fort, so he sent me to assist you. Please don’t misunderstand."

Lian Wenzhao smiled kindly, though the intimidating aura of the five figures behind him faintly overshadowed everyone present.

"Hmph, misunderstand? Where were you before? Why show up now?"

Wang Ziyue, with his towering build dressed as a golden-armored general, looked nothing like a Taoist.

Upon hearing this, Lian Wenzhao cast a sharp glance at Wang Ziyue and frowned, saying, "Qi Refining Taoists should stay silent."

"You!"

Wang Ziyue was about to snap, but was pulled aside by Shi Yinhua.

"So what are you planning now?" Song Lin maintained his detached demeanor.

The Daoist master’s message had left plenty of wiggle room: Lian Wenzhao was to assist Song Lin, and Song Lin was also expected to cooperate with him.

If Song Lin proved truly incapable, Lian Wenzhao would temporarily take over as temple master.

The document also expressed the temple master’s perspective.

It pledged that Mei Mountain Jungle would not shortchange any contributor. After the war, rewards would be forthcoming—at minimum, a deacon position at Mei Mountain Jungle.

Thus, there was still room for maneuver in the situation.

"Taoist, please don’t misunderstand. It’s all for the greater good. During this period, you’ll continue serving as acting temple master while we wholeheartedly assist you in developing the Taoist Temple. We can discuss the matter of the temple master’s position further after the reconstruction is complete."

Lian Wenzhao wasn’t foolish enough to attempt a coup from the outset.

As these words left his mouth, the faces of those present darkened.

This guy clearly wanted to pluck the peach!

After painstakingly establishing this base, not only would they lose it, but this person wanted them to continue building it—only for it to be snatched when ripe.

Was the jungle filled with such shameless characters?

With a glance, Song Lin quelled the outrage of his companions before smiling and saying, "If that’s the case, I’m deeply grateful."

"Good. In the face of disaster, we must join hands and move forward together."

Standing up, Lian Wenzhao bowed deeply.

"Qingxiong, Qingyun, Qingming, Zhicheng, Zhi Ming. You five should learn from the Taoists here; don’t just stand around and do nothing."

Lian Wenzhao was slightly surprised—Song Lin was even more docile than he had anticipated.

He had thought Song Lin might provoke him, giving him a legitimate excuse to assert his authority.

But this was fine too; Song Lin wouldn’t be able to stir up much trouble.

Once the five of them became more familiar with the operations, Lian Wenzhao planned to replace certain troublemakers, pull one faction into his fold while suppressing the others. He couldn’t believe these people would stay loyal to Song Lin forever.

"You must also work well with our jungle Taoists. They’ve traveled a long way; we should treat them with proper hospitality."

"No, no—after all, we’re one family."

In the days that followed, both sides managed to coexist harmoniously. With the help of six Divine Establishment masters, the construction of the Taoist Temple on the mountain progressed rapidly.

The mountain’s villagers and surrounding peaks soon formed a network of bases, with the population exceeding a hundred thousand.

On this matter, Lian Wenzhao and Song Lin’s interests aligned.

If the population didn’t meet the threshold, all their efforts would have been for naught.

When encountering scattered demons, they would work together to eliminate them.

Though some harbored grievances in their hearts, seeing Song Lin remain unmoved, they refrained from saying much.

Watching the intense construction efforts of the Rampant Soldiers and villagers, Lian Wenzhao remarked to Song Lin, "Your training methods for the troops are quite impressive, almost comparable to the jungle’s official methods."

The buildings rose skyward like molded sand and stone, constructed by Rampant Soldiers from both sides. Lian Wenzhao’s forces contributed slightly more, and their soldiers were usually taller.

By comparison, Xuanke Temple’s Rampant Soldiers seemed malnourished.

"Thank you for the compliment," Song Lin replied, nonchalantly.

Since the earlier interlude, Song Lin instructed his people to avoid publicly revealing their advanced Water Training techniques and the Eight Formation Map.

This led Lian Wenzhao to believe they were still employing outdated methods.

"How many Taoist Soldiers can you command now?" Lian Wenzhao pressed.

"My official certificate allows for five thousand; adding self-trained ones, it should be around ten thousand."

"I have forty thousand."

Song Lin said nothing, calculating silently. He still had over ten thousand more than Lian Wenzhao.

Thinking Song Lin felt ashamed, Lian Wenzhao chuckled and said:

"Actually, my master has developed methods to host more Soldiers and Horse Altars, reducing the energy consumption needed to summon Rampant Soldiers, doubling or tripling the normal numbers."

Usually, an altar could host only one skeleton. Zhao Wuji ingeniously made it possible for one altar to contain four or five, significantly reducing energy requirements. Hence, the number of soldiers was far greater.

"My master’s innovations don’t stop there. He created the Command Flag System, dividing soldiers into small and large flag units, where a General Flag can command Rampant Soldiers in strategic formations!"

Saying this, Lian Wenzhao drew out a triangular golden flag embroidered with dragons, phoenixes, and a prominent "Lian" character.

Lian Wenzhao waved the flag lightly.

Whoosh!

From the Rampant Soldier camps in the distance, countless small flags emerged.

They hovered in the air and arranged themselves into formations.

The soldiers below moved with the flag’s guidance, quickly forming a square Array.

With another wave, the soldiers shifted formations again.

Orders were executed seamlessly, their movements swift as the wind and steady as the forest. All eyes fixed on the scene.

Retrieving the flag, Lian Wenzhao turned to Song Lin, asking, "How about it?"

"Interesting. Compared to you, our soldiers seem like simple bandits."

Song Lin could tell the Command Flag System was multi-layered.

The highest-level command came from Lian Wenzhao, which trickled downwards in tiers until reaching the lowest.

This cascading system created formations but lacked adaptability. Heavy losses among the flag leaders could lead to a total collapse in command.

No matter how sarcastic his internal thoughts, Song Lin still led the applause, encouraging others to feign astonishment as though seeing such wonders for the first time.

He glared severely at Wang Ziyue during the process—the man’s face had reddened, almost bursting into laughter.

"In time, I’ll personally teach you all," Lian Wenzhao declared.

This statement seemed to finally calm the crowd.

With the situation in hand, Lian Wenzhao’s plan involved complete control over the group, removing Song Lin’s inner circle, and rallying the remaining factions, ensuring his position as unshakable.

More days went by.

Deep into night, the rain drizzled softly under cloudy skies.

The world was quiet; only the sound of rainfall broke the silence.

Inside his secret chamber, Song Lin sat cross-legged, the Golden Crow Yang Pattern on his brow emitting a radiant glow that tempered his Divine Soul.

Utilizing prior insights from the world of cultivation, Song Lin easily replicated the process.

With progress already over halfway complete, achieving the Great Success of Divine Establishment was merely a matter of diligent effort.

Knock, knock!

Someone rapped on the door.

Song Lin opened his eyes, the door sliding open on its own.

Lin Qing stormed in angrily, saying, "Temple master, you’re letting things slide! Those Three Capitals have practically seized all the power. If this continues, Lian Wenzhao will usurp your position."

"Relax, don’t fret. Let him play his games for a while."

Centuries of experience had taught Song Lin the value of patience—usually, the party most anxious lost miserably.

While everyone schemed against one another...

A discovery was made at Dragon Head Peak—the horned giant fish had returned, accompanied by thousands of demons.

Boom!

A storm swept across a thousand miles.

Dark clouds enveloped the skies, rain cascading in torrents.

The demons, having bided their time, had finally gathered their strength. Now, they surged towards the mortal world, determined to stir chaos.