Chapter 209 The Drowsy Dog
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Chapter 209 The Drowsy Dog
Even after the Empress Dowager was wrapped up like a silkworm and carried away, the "carnival of a hundred beasts" in the Hall of Supreme Harmony did not stop.
Amidst the chaos and commotion, a furtive figure was clinging to the wall, trying to slip away into the side door of the side hall.
It was the same Master Xuanji who had just been clamoring for "eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path."
At this moment, where is there any trace of his former ethereal and otherworldly demeanor?
His hat was lost, his sparse hair was disheveled by the wind, his Taoist robe was torn in several places, his arms were bulging with the silver notes bestowed by the Empress Dowager, he was covered in sweat, and all he wanted to do was escape this place of trouble as soon as possible.
"That's terrifying...that's terrifying..."
Master Xuanji was trembling as he ran.
He'd been deceiving people his whole life, but this was the first time he'd ever seen such genuine sorcery!
The sight of rats and venomous snakes everywhere was enough to trigger his trypophobia.
The side door was right in front of them; if they just stepped out, they could escape.
A hint of joy flashed in Master Xuanji's eyes.
"Woof! Woof woof!"
Several low, fierce roars suddenly came from the shadows of the side door.
Master Xuanji paused in his steps.
Three large, muscular greyhounds, baring their teeth, blocked his path.
Like well-trained constables, they surrounded us in a triangular formation, their sharp dog eyes gleaming with predatory intent.
This was a "farewell gift" that Tangli specially left for him.
Where are you going!
[Liar! Bad guy! Bite him!]
The lead black greyhound pushed off with its hind legs and pounced like a black lightning bolt.
"Ah! Don't bite me! This humble monk is an enlightened high monk! He is protected by Vajra!"
Master Xuanji screamed in terror and brandished his peach wood sword, trying to drive it away.
But in the face of a real beast, that wooden sword used to deceive people is simply a joke.
The black-backed greyhound bit the wooden sword, snapping it in two with a "crack," then tossed its head and knocked Master Xuanji to the ground.
The other two dogs rushed forward.
Instead of biting their throats (after all, they wanted to leave them alive for trial), they did so in perfect unison—biting their clothes.
"Sizzle—!"
"Sizzle—!"
The expensive Bagua Taoist robe was extremely fragile under the sharp teeth.
The sleeves were torn off, the collar was ripped open, and the trouser legs were chewed up.
"Splash..."
As the clothes tore, the "magical treasures" hidden in Master Xuanji's arms and sleeves fell to the ground with a clatter.
Several packets of grayish-white phosphorus powder spilled out, and upon contact with friction in the air, instantly emitted a greenish-green flame.
Several bottles of developer that were not yet used up were smashed on the ground.
There was also a thick stack of silver notes bestowed by the Empress Dowager, fluttering everywhere.
"Look! What's that?"
"Will-o'-the-wisp? Phosphorus powder? So the talisman's spontaneous combustion earlier was a hoax!"
"And those silver notes...this monk is a fraud!"
The ministers who hadn't had time to run away saw this scene and immediately realized what was going on, followed by angry accusations.
Master Xuanji had no time to worry about any of that at this point.
His clothes had been almost completely torn apart, leaving only a pair of white underpants, which looked particularly jarring in the magnificent hall.
"Help! Spare me, old dog!"
He clutched his backside, scrambled to his feet, and, no longer caring about maintaining a master's demeanor, took off running wildly through the main hall.
Three greyhounds chased after him relentlessly, biting as they went.
Thus, an absurd chase ensued in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
An old man, shirtless and wearing only underwear, was running frantically ahead, followed by three dogs barking incessantly.
He ran past the dragon throne, past the broken wine table, and finally, with nowhere left to retreat, he rushed out of the main hall's main gate.
Outside the hall is a plaza paved with white marble.
On one side of the square is the bottomless lotus pond of the Imperial Garden.
"Woof!"
The dog's teeth were closing in from behind, almost biting his buttocks.
"ah--!!!"
Master Xuanji let out a desperate scream.
He glanced at the icy pool water, steeled his heart, closed his eyes, and leaped in!
"Thump!"
A huge splash of water erupted.
The living deity, who was said to be "invincible and possessing boundless magical power," crashed heavily into the muddy lotus pond like a drowned dog.
He was floundering in the water, his face covered in mud and weeds, looking worse than a beggar on the roadside.
On the bank, three greyhounds sat down and barked triumphantly twice at the head bobbing up and down in the water:
[Woof! Go take a bath!]
[Dirty thing!]
At the entrance of the main hall.
Tang Li looked at the splashing pond, shook her head, and gave her final comment:
"Tsk."
"Is this what they call... boundless magical power, all thanks to wandering?"
She turned to look at Pei Yunjing beside her, her eyes crinkling with a smile:
"Your Highness, were you satisfied with this performance?"