Chapter 64 Netherworld Sect II

　　—Evil that disguises itself as justice is the greatest evil.

　　These past few days Fang Mu had felt oppressed and frustrated.

　　In the past the Great Chieftain had always treated him with courtesy; whenever there was any clan affair, great or small, he would invite Fang Mu to participate.

　　Some time earlier Great Chieftain Gongdian had gone out hunting and, according to custom, invited Fang Mu into the inner city to perform divination for the hunting party and to pray to the spirits of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods in heaven to protect the hunters and keep them safe.

　　Yet the result had been of no use; Gongdian’s party was attacked by Stabbing Tigers and suffered heavy casualties.

　　Fang Mu discovered that after Gongdian returned from the hunt his attitude toward him changed greatly; he rarely invited him into the inner city to discuss clan affairs any longer.

　　This time Gongdian’s party was going on an embassy to the capital; they simply disregarded Fang Mu. Not only did they not invite Fang Mu to perform divination—they did not even notify him before departure.

　　Yet in the outer city Fang Mu was the High Priest revered by the ten thousand people. Gongdian’s attitude toward Fang Mu aroused the great dissatisfaction of Fang Mu’s disciples.

　　In former days, after the fall of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods the entire body of hunters lost their faith and spiritual support. Had Fang Mu not raised his arm and called out, established the sacred site, and once more gathered the hearts of the hunters, who knew what trouble the hunters might have stirred up.

　　Now, for so great a matter as an embassy to the capital, Gongdian did not even give a single word of notice; Fang Mu’s disciples were all filled with indignation and felt that their master Fang Mu had been used by Gongdian.

　　Fang Mu’s disciples thought thus with reason.

　　Before Fang Mu’s sacred site was established, because of the fall of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods the hunters experienced a crisis of faith; added to the burden of human sacrifice and labor service, incidents of suicide and violence occurred frequently within Wangqiu City; the atmosphere of violence was deep and social order fell into chaos.

　　After Fang Mu’s sacred site was established the hunters, seeking spiritual support, successively came to the sacred site to pray for blessings from the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods.

　　At first the hunters came to the sacred site only irregularly to hold assemblies and commemorate the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods.

　　Later it developed that the hunters came to the sacred site at fixed times to pray regularly to the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods.

　　In the end, whether going out to hunt and gather, moving to a new residence, or opening a new shop, the hunters would invite Fang Mu or his disciples to the scene; through communication with the souls of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods they prayed for the blessings of the celestial gods and hoped that everything would go smoothly.

　　There were even some pious hunters who came every day to Fang Mu’s sacred site to pray; this had already become an indispensable part of their lives.

　　In the eyes of the clan’s hunters Fang Mu had become the spokesman of the souls of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods. His sacred site had become a state within a state.

　　Fang Mu’s prestige in the outer city grew ever higher; this news also entered the inner city and aroused panic among the upper levels of the clan. Some proposed that Fang Mu and his people be suppressed.

　　Great Chieftain Gongdian, however, overruled the majority opinion. For the sake of internal unity within the clan he learned from the ordinary hunters and, at every turn, invited Fang Mu into the inner city to perform divination and pray for blessings; even major clan affairs he invited Fang Mu to come and offer counsel.

　　The later result was indeed as Gongdian had expected. Although the clan still bore the heavy pressure of human sacrifice and labor service, once the hunters obtained spiritual support each person’s face gained a measure of serenity and peace; positive changes began to appear in society and social order also gradually improved.

　　Seeing these changes Gongdian personally appointed Fang Mu High Priest of the Gongyou Clan, responsible for the religious sacrificial activities of the entire clan.

　　Fang Mu’s disciples considered that their master had made a tremendous contribution to the clan; yet now their master was being coldly treated by Great Chieftain Gongdian—clearly a case of discarding the bridge after crossing the river.

　　One morning Fang Mu led his disciples together with more than a thousand pious hunters in prayer inside the sacred site.

　　Fang Mu’s sacred site was located in the southwestern part of the outer city of Wangqiu; it consisted of six enormous fir trees enclosed by high walls. The ground space thus formed was broad and sufficient to hold more than a thousand people at a time.

　　Inside his sacred site stood a huge wooden statue of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods. Every morning and evening large numbers of believers came to pray to the celestial gods, seeking the protection of the heroic spirits of the celestial gods.

　　Fang Mu had always remained single and lived inside the sacred site with his disciples.

　　Under him were four great disciples—Teng Hao, Ren Ming, Xun Zhi and Yin Bo—known as the Four Great Vajras.

　　According to rumor, when Fang Mu served at the side of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods he had a family; later, for reasons unknown, wife and children were scattered and only Fang Mu remained alone.

　　Fang Mu and his disciples were the most specially dressed group within Wangqiu City; they wore black upper garments and red lower garments, markedly different from the uniform yellow clothing of ordinary common people.

　　According to Fang Mu, only by wearing black above and red below could one communicate with the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods of the underworld.

　　Yet the Gongyou Clan were all soldiers; as members of the YellowCloth Army Fang Mu and his disciples still had to obey the Order of Changing Customs issued by Great Chieftain Gongdian and wrap their heads in yellow headcloths.

　　The morning sunlight fell upon the wooden statue of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods, making it appear especially quiet and solemn.

　　Fang Mu and his disciples stood at the very front of the ranks, facing the statue of the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods, eyes closed, silently reciting the prayer in their hearts. Yet just at that moment from several rows behind came the sound of whispering.

　　Fang Mu could not help frowning. During this period, while praying, he had always been able to hear believers speaking secretly.

　　The moment the morning prayer ended Fang Mu at once called Teng Hao before him and ordered Teng Hao to investigate what was going on.

　　Before long Teng Hao returned: “Reporting to Master—I have already seized those several who were whispering and await Master’s judgment. Someone—bring them up.”

　　Fang Mu looked sternly at the four people kneeling upon the ground trembling; his eyes were like sharp swords, frightening the four so that they dared not raise their heads.

　　“Speak—why during the morning prayer were you so impious as to openly despise and blaspheme the great spirits of the celestial gods?” Teng Hao demanded sternly.

　　“Reporting to Your Excellency the High Priest and Master Teng—this lesser one is called Zhang Jian and lives in the southern part of the city. It is only that this lesser one had not come for a time; this morning during prayer I met several old friends and in a moment of excitement inevitably spoke a few more words, disturbing the sacred site. I hope the High Priest will forgive this humble one.”

　　“Humph—for several days running it has been you few speaking in low voices there. What oldfriend meeting is this? I see you are deliberately making trouble. Will you not speak the truth? Must I invite you into prison to recall carefully?”

　　This threat proved effective; a hunter beside him at once confessed: “Master Teng, Your Excellency the High Priest—you are indeed sharpeyed. Zhang Jian, do not blame me—I shall confess.”

　　This hunter pointed at Zhang Jian and continued: “We few were originally praying piously; it was all this Zhang Jian who lured us, saying that their church is far better than yours here, saying that so long as we are willing to go he, Zhang Jian, will introduce us and promising benefits.”

　　“Is that so? You three may return. Zhang Jian—you remain.”

　　After the three left Teng Hao seized Zhang Jian by the collar: “Good for you, Zhang Jian—quickly speak. What is the name of that evil sect of yours? What do you pull believers for?”

　　Fang Mu restrained Teng Hao and said: “Teng Hao, be more refined. We are the sacrificial personnel appointed by the Great Chieftain; we are not some evil sect. Toward our own hunters we must be gentle.”

　　Then Fang Mu turned to Zhang Jian and said softly: “Tell me—what church exactly have you joined?”

　　“High Priest, this lesser one will speak—this lesser one will certainly speak. This lesser one was instigated by my neighbor and clansman Zhang San and joined an organization called the ‘Netherworld Sect.’”

　　“Netherworld Sect? What kind of organization is this?”

　　“This lesser one has only gone a few times. That place is full of mystery. This church makes us believe in the God of Death and teaches us to maintain a good heart, clear away evil, and purify society.”

　　“Oh—believe in the God of Death? So evil.”

　　“High Priest, your instruction is correct. The church calls us believers ‘Purifiers’ and makes us clear away all the residual scum of society—thieves, great bandits, beggars and the like—and offer them in sacrifice to the God of Death.”

　　“Not only that—they also beguile us into developing believers, saying that so long as one develops a new believer the introducer is given one silver coin.”

　　“Within our Wangqiu City there is actually such a church.” Fang Mu muttered to himself. He waved his hand toward Zhang Jian: “You may go down first.”

　　“Teng Hao—what do you think of this matter?” Fang Mu watched Zhang Jian’s departing back.

　　“Master, I think what this Zhang Jian said is the truth. I have heard from people in the yamen that recently the number of thieves and beggars upon the streets has greatly diminished—very strange. Could this be the work of these Purifiers?”

　　“Oh—there is such a matter?” Fang Mu frowned tightly. “In a society there are the upper stream, the middle stream and the lower stream; where there are good people there are bad people. Bad people must be dealt with by the authorities—how can this Netherworld Sect resolve them through private punishment?”

　　“Yes—Master is entirely correct. What is most infuriating is that they actually have the audacity to come upon our territory to recruit people into their sect and snatch our livelihood—truly outrageous!”

　　Compared with Teng Hao’s anger Fang Mu was far calmer. He pondered a while and whispered a few words into Teng Hao’s ear.

　　After listening Teng Hao raised a thumb: “Master is indeed brilliant.”

　　Having given his instructions Fang Mu saw that Teng Hao was still unwilling to leave; he raised an eyebrow and asked: “Have you something more?”

　　“Master—have you heard of the matter of the Great Chieftain setting out several days ago on an embassy to the capital?”

　　“Someone has already reported it to me.”

　　“Master—logically speaking, for so great a matter why did the Great Chieftain not invite you into the inner city to discuss it? Moreover, when they set out for the capital why did they not have Your Venerable Self perform divination and pray for them? Now everyone is discussing this matter and all feel indignation at Master’s treatment.”

　　“The Great Chieftain may have his own considerations—perhaps he was too busy.”

　　“I see that at the last humansacrifice combat tournament the Great Chieftain seemed rather to disagree with what you said. Last time when the Great Chieftain went hunting and was attacked, suffering heavy casualties, he must certainly resent that your divination and prayer went wrong, and therefore…”

　　Fang Mu interrupted impatiently: “Teng Hao—hurry and investigate the matter of the Netherworld Sect. As for the matter between me and the Great Chieftain, you need not concern yourself. If you have nothing else, go down.”

　　With that Fang Mu waved his hand toward Teng Hao and then began to close his eyes and rest his spirit.

　　Teng Hao still wished to say something more; seeing his master’s manner he could only leave dejectedly.

　　How could Fang Mu not know the importance of maintaining good relations with the Great Chieftain? This High Priest of his had been appointed by Gongdian; Gongdian shared authority with him and could appoint him High Priest—he could equally dismiss him.

　　Fang Mu carefully reviewed in his mind the events of this period.

　　Ever since those humanclan celestial gods descended upon the clan, Fang Mu had proposed that these humanclan celestial gods should be handed over to the Green Clan Celestial Gods. Thereafter at the humansacrifice combat tournament he had again rebuked Gong Kang. After these two matters he had clearly felt that something was wrong.

　　Previously when Great Chieftain Gongdian saw him he always wore a smiling face. Yet after these matters occurred Gongdian seemed to have formed an opinion of him; his attitude and even body language toward him changed, so that this time when going on an embassy to the capital he did not even give a single word of notice.

　　“In the rivers and lakes one cannot always do as one wishes.” Fang Mu silently recited to himself.