Master Lao, having introduced himself, continued to speak, referring to his “undistinguished disciple, Mei Qing,” causing the gazes of everyone present to turn somewhat vacant.
“Qing’er, it’s fine that you chose Zhang Shisan as your master, but how come you also became a disciple of this… bitter monk?” Lu Bing’s mental voice suddenly reached Mei Qing. “This master back then, back then…”
Mei Qing felt puzzled. It seemed his monk teacher was someone people tended to avoid. He secretly asked Lu Bing, “The monk teacher treats me very well. What exactly happened back then?”
“Not much, just that he killed quite a few people,” Lu Bing replied through mental communication. Suddenly noticing Master Ku glance in their direction, and seeing the old monk gazing at Mei Qing with a look of affection, Lu Bing involuntarily shivered.
Ah… Mei Qing suddenly recalled what Bi Zhen had once mentioned about Master Ku retreating into silence after killing people as a form of self-reflection. Now he understood why his master had remained silent for so many years. He could only imagine how many lives had been lost to stain that clean yellow monk robe with blood.
It seemed his two masters were indeed no ordinary men.
As Mei Qing pondered this inwardly, Tao Zhongwen on the opposite side was growing increasingly frustrated.
Tao Zhongwen had come here with high hopes of achieving his goal. Although he had received the news slightly earlier than Duan Chaoyong, his planning was far more thorough. Thus, besides mobilizing two factions he had long kept hidden, he had also, for extra assurance, called upon the revered Master Ninggu, a figure he had previously been reluctant to reveal.
However, since he had not paid special attention to Mei Qing beforehand, the information he had gathered about him was rather limited. Moreover, Mei Qing’s social circle was narrow, and few people actually knew much about him. Therefore, aside from knowing about Mei Qing’s early background, he could only roughly deduce that Mei Qing had entered the Daoist path after joining the Jinyiwei, progressing rapidly in cultivation.
As for Mei Qing having studied under Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, even Lu Bing and others weren’t fully aware of the details, so naturally Tao Zhongwen wasn’t either.
Now, seeing the mysterious old Daoist Zhang Shisan standing aside, yet another complication arose—Master Ku, the dreaded killing deity renowned throughout the realm, had appeared and was loudly proclaiming Mei Qing as his disciple.
Looking at the group behind Ku, although Tao Zhongwen couldn’t recognize everyone, he could tell they were abbots or elders from the Tiantai, Sanlun, Linji, and Fayan sects. Considering Master Ku’s standing in the Buddhist community and the venerable figures he had brought along, none of them were likely to be easily intimidated. In the current situation, attempting any aggressive action would be nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, Zhang Shisan was still shouting loudly, “You fool of a disciple, why didn’t you tell me about your troubles? If your master hadn’t been so clever and realized you were in trouble, bringing a bunch of helpers along, who knows where you’d have been pushed to by then. Now even this old baldy has been disturbed. Those who know the truth understand that your master is here to clear your name, but those who don’t might think we’re the ones bullying someone else…”
Everyone present could only smile bitterly, thinking to themselves that with the way these two masters and disciples behaved, it was more likely they’d be the ones bullying others, not the other way around.
Tao Zhongwen’s mind raced as he calculated his next move. He realized that the only viable strategy now was to corner the opposing side with reason, forcing Mei Qing to step forward, which might offer a chance of victory.
Yet, looking at Zhang Shisan, he hardly seemed like a reasonable person. And regarding Master Ku, with his gentle expression, Tao Zhongwen recalled the legends of the master wiping out entire sects over a mere disagreement. Reason, it seemed, would be difficult to invoke.
Still, the performance had to continue. Tao Zhongwen coughed twice and addressed the still-bickering Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, who were arguing over which of them was Mei Qing’s legitimate master: “The presence of both esteemed Daoist friends here is indeed a blessing. However, there are certain internal matters of our sect that must be clarified. Might I request a brief respite from this debate?”
“Internal matters of your sect?” Zhang Shisan blinked at Tao Zhongwen. “Aren’t you that national teacher, Master Dian? I’ve never heard of you belonging to any sect. Now that you’ve climbed high in the bureaucracy and find being alone insufficiently exciting, do you want to create a sect just for show?”
“Esteemed friend jests,” Tao Zhongwen replied calmly, his expression unchanging. “All Daoist sects are one under heaven, and all paths lead to the same origin. Yet the Dao cannot be practiced without a teacher. Though I am dull-witted, I have been fortunate enough to uphold my teacher’s will. Though I dare not claim to bring glory to the sect, I certainly won’t allow it to be disgraced…”
“Enough, enough…” Zhang Shisan impatiently waved him off. “You’ve been talking forever, old cow-nosed Taoist. Just tell us plainly which sect you belong to, without all the fluff.”
Though Tao Zhongwen had been repeatedly cut off by Zhang Shisan, not a hint of annoyance showed on his round face. He continued smiling as he addressed the crowd: “Though I may not boast of coming from a prestigious sect like many of you, I still take pride in my lineage. I studied under Master Meihua, and I hail from the Meihua Sect.”
As soon as Tao Zhongwen spoke these words, murmurs rippled through the crowd. About half of those present had not known Tao Zhongwen’s true identity. Upon hearing that he was from the Meihua Sect, many exchanged complex glances.
Though the name Meihua Sect had not been heard in over a decade, many of those present were senior figures in the Daoist community who knew of its reputation. Most had either faced the sect in challenges or been defeated by it in the past. Thus, upon learning that Tao Zhongwen hailed from Meihua, their eyes betrayed a mixture of resentment and fear.
Some even recalled having encountered the Meihua Sect themselves in the past. Back then, the sect’s members rarely revealed their true identities. Now, upon reflection, a few noticed something familiar about Tao Zhongwen’s demeanor and build, and various emotions—anger, hatred, and more—surfaced in their hearts.
“Speaking of which,” Tao Zhongwen continued, scanning the crowd with a smile, “in my younger days, my master, my fellow disciples, and I maintained cordial relations with many sects, and we shared a certain degree of camaraderie. Some of you may have known of this, while others may not. But all Daoist sects are of one lineage, and there is no need to quarrel over mere reputation. Since all of you esteemed Daoist friends have gathered here today, it must be Heaven’s will for you to help resolve an old unresolved matter within our sect.”
Though Mei Qing knew this was all an act, he couldn’t help but admit that Master Dian had indeed honed his rhetorical skills to perfection after years of maneuvering in the imperial court. With just a few simple words, Tao Zhongwen had managed to shift the focus of the situation. Mei Qing suspected that the next move would be aimed directly at him. Yet, no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t guess what accusation Tao Zhongwen would bring against him. Could it possibly involve his mother’s past? A vague sense of anticipation stirred in his heart.
“Second Senior Brother,” someone interrupted impatiently from the side. It was Liu Xing. “You’ve been talking about this sect’s unresolved matters for so long but haven’t yet revealed what exactly the issue is. Now that all the esteemed Daoist friends from across the realm are gathered here, why don’t you speak plainly and quickly?”
Few among the crowd recognized Liu Xing. Upon hearing him address Tao Zhongwen as “Second Senior Brother,” many were startled to learn that this old man was also a member of the Meihua Sect. Judging from his tone, he seemed to harbor no great affection for Tao Zhongwen, leaving everyone curious about the nature of their relationship.
“You may not recognize my junior brother,” Tao Zhongwen said, his eyes fixed on Liu Xing. “He is the host of this estate, Master Liu Shuxing. We were once as close as brothers within the same sect. Unfortunately, after our sect’s misfortunes, we were scattered. What I wish to reveal today, dear junior brother, you yourself may not be fully aware of. Once I explain, you will understand the truth.”
With that, Tao Zhongwen extended his sleeve and gently placed a jade plum blossom into the air: “Regarding the Meihua Sect’s lineage, I won’t deny that it may seem strange to many. Though I have followed my master for many years, I still do not know the sect’s origins. I dare not underestimate our sect, for its martial arts and teachings are clearly not those of a minor school. However, my master never spoke of our origins, and none of us brothers ever dared to ask. We assumed that when the time came, he would reveal it to us. But my master was always a man of humility, avoiding the spotlight, as many of you may already know.”
After Tao Zhongwen spoke, many in the crowd nodded inwardly. Though the Meihua Sect’s Master was indeed mysterious, no one could deny his profound cultivation or his humility. The fact that he and his disciples had challenged nearly every Daoist sect in the realm without ever suffering defeat, while maintaining anonymity, was proof enough of his character.
“Though my master lived a life of simplicity and detachment, seeking only the Dao, who could have foreseen that someone would bear such hatred against him? A man so removed from worldly affairs still met his end at the hands of a petty villain… Ever since, whenever I think of this, my heart feels as though pierced by a thousand blades. Despite searching high and low, from the heavens to the underworld, I have been unable to uncover any trace of the killer.”
At this point, Tao Zhongwen’s expression grew increasingly cold, his tone thick with hatred.
So the Master Meihua was indeed dead? Though rumors had long circulated, no one had ever known the truth. Now, hearing Tao Zhongwen confirm it directly, everyone finally understood that the rumors were indeed true.
At this moment, Li Daoding, the Wuding Zhenren of the Louguan Sect, who had been standing beside Zhang Shisan, suddenly spoke: “Master Dian, I’ve heard rumors that your master dueled the previous Celestial Master, Zhang Yuchong, and both perished in mutual destruction. Is this true?”
As he spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze flickered toward Zhang Shisan, who was leisurely drinking from a gourd.
Zhang Shisan acted as if he hadn’t noticed, continuing to sip his wine with apparent delight, a faint, mocking smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“In a way, what Master Li says is not entirely incorrect,” Tao Zhongwen admitted frankly. “It is true that my master did engage in a conflict with the Celestial Master Zhang, and it was during that battle that he passed away. However, my master’s cultivation far surpassed that of Zhang. The claim of mutual destruction is not accurate. My master sustained only minor injuries during the fight. Unfortunately, he was then suddenly ambushed and killed by someone close to him.”
Tao Zhongwen’s words fell like a stone into still water, sending ripples of shock through the crowd.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage