Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 56

After the group from earlier left, the innkeeper returned to Lu Xuan’s side.

With a beaming smile, he gestured politely.

“Sir, your room and meals are ready. Please follow me.”

Second-floor guest room.

The wooden table inside was laden with food and wine, piled nearly into a small mountain.

Once the innkeeper had escorted Lu Xuan to the door and saw him enter, he moved to leave, closing the door behind him.

“Innkeeper, wait.”

Lu Xuan sat down, then called out just as the man was about to depart.

The innkeeper paused, turning back with a questioning look.

“Was there something else you needed, sir?”

“There are a few things I’d like to ask you.”

Lu Xuan had stopped him for one reason—to gather information about the Lotus Birth Temple.

Earlier, in the main hall, the innkeeper had mentioned it. Surely, he knew something.

“Ask away, sir! I’ll tell you everything I know!”

Eager to please such a generous guest, the innkeeper hurried back inside.

“I recall you mentioning the Lotus Birth Temple. I’ve never heard of it before. Could you tell me more?”

Lu Xuan feigned casual curiosity, giving nothing away.

“Ah! So you’re interested in the temple? Well, I know all about it!”

“You must not be from Dengfeng County, sir. Otherwise, you’d have heard of it.”

Lu Xuan nodded slightly, confirming the innkeeper’s guess.

“The Lotus Birth Temple is the most famous temple in Dengfeng. It’s home to countless enlightened monks, and their blessings are incredibly potent.”

“However, the temple rarely opens to outsiders. Only once a year, around this time, do they welcome pilgrims.”

“That’s why you saw so many visitors downstairs earlier—they were all heading to the temple.”

“These days, it’s not just the local elites from Sifang Town making the journey. People from other towns, even the county seat, are flocking there too.”

The innkeeper sighed wistfully. “If I weren’t tied to this inn, I’d go myself.”

“Even people from the county seat visit?”

The mention of the county made Lu Xuan think of his sister, Lu Qingqing, who lived there.

Pushing the thought aside, he asked the most pressing question.

“Innkeeper, where exactly is this temple? If it’s as miraculous as you say, I’d like to pay my respects and pray for my family.”

…

Dusk.

The last remnants of sunlight bled across the horizon as twilight settled.

Lu Xuan rode a black stallion like a bolt of lightning, kicking up clouds of dust in his wake.

From the innkeeper, he’d learned the temple’s location—conveniently close to Dengfeng’s county seat, barely an hour’s ride away.

Once I uncover the temple’s secrets, I can head straight to the city to visit Qingqing.

Three hours later, Lu Xuan arrived at the foot of a towering mountain.

At its peak stood a majestic structure—the Lotus Birth Temple.

Stone steps, carved from blue-gray slabs, wound their way up the mountainside.

Though night had fallen, Lu Xuan could still make out dozens of figures at the base.

Temple monks, no doubt.

Guarding the pilgrims’ belongings?

Nearby, rows of carriages and horses were parked.

After scanning the mountain’s layout, Lu Xuan dismounted. He secured his horse to a tree in a secluded spot, ensuring it wouldn’t be noticed.

He had no intention of alerting the temple. His goal was infiltration—to uncover the truth behind this place.

The Back Mountain.

Before him loomed a sheer cliff face. Without hesitation, Lu Xuan channeled his Internal Qi, leaping onto the rock with preternatural agility.

Main Hall, Lotus Birth Temple.

The hall’s doors were shut, leaving only a sliver of dim candlelight visible.

Two middle-aged monks, around forty, stood guard on either side, their eyes sharp and vigilant.

Suddenly—

A shadow loomed over them. Tall. Silent.

Before they could react, a hand clamped around each of their throats, cutting off their voices.

Within seconds, both monks collapsed, unconscious.

Lu Xuan laid them gently against the wall, his expression grim.

“Not just an ordinary temple, after all.”

These two “ordinary” monks were actually Bone-Forging Realm martial artists.

In Qingyun County, warriors of this level were minor celebrities.

Yet here, they were mere doorkeepers.

Peering through the door’s gap, Lu Xuan confirmed the hall was empty.

He pushed the door open just enough to slip inside.

The Main Hall.

Neat rows of prayer cushions lined the floor. Offerings sat atop the altar.

At the far end, bathed in candlelight, loomed a statue—a common depiction of the Buddha.

Lu Xuan was about to leave, seeing nothing amiss, when—

“Hm?”

His gaze snapped to the statue’s eyes.

In an instant, he was before it.

There, embedded in the pupils, was a tiny, intricate pattern.

A pristine white lotus in full bloom.

Invisible to anyone not standing this close.

“So this is—”

“INSOLENCE!”

A figure erupted from behind the statue, moving like lightning.

A clawed hand tore through the air—

Rip!

Lu Xuan’s black robes shredded at the chest, revealing the sculpted, explosive musculature beneath.