Zhen Song had just heard his master praising Mei Qing in such high esteem. Now, looking at him like this, although Zhen Song was straightforward by nature, he was far from foolish. He immediately understood his master’s intentions and couldn’t help but feel indignant. In his opinion, Mei Qing was much younger than himself, and there wasn’t the slightest sign of any cultivation ability. He suspected that Mei Qing probably didn’t possess any genuine skills and was likely just some trickster trying to deceive others.
Upon learning that this young man was actually the son-in-law of the sixth commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhen Song felt even more disdain for him. What kind of ability was it for a real man to rely on his pretty face and his father-in-law’s influence to gain favor? As these thoughts crossed his mind, a hint of contempt unavoidably flickered in his eyes.
However, with his master and Lu Bing present, Zhao Zhen Song naturally dared not act recklessly. Instead, he secretly resolved that if an opportunity arose, he would certainly expose this pretty boy’s true nature, making him lose face publicly and putting an end to his bragging in front of everyone.
If Mei Qing had known about this, he would surely have felt wronged. After all, hadn’t it been Zhang Jingding who praised him, and hadn’t he himself never boasted? Yet Zhao Zhen Song simply disliked him on sight, so he naturally attributed all sorts of faults to him, real or imagined.
Seeing the atmosphere in the hall grow somewhat awkward, Lu Bing quickly laughed heartily and said, “This matter originally wouldn’t have dared to trouble the two Daoist friends, Master Zhang and Master Lu. However, the opponent not only possesses considerable cultivation but also has significant support, so we came to invite both of you to bolster our ranks. Yet the opponent has not shown themselves yet, and we cannot figure out what they are plotting.”
Zhang Jingding laughed loudly and said, “Brother Lu, what are you saying? That ‘Master Dian’ Tao Zhongwen has quite a reputation, but whether he is truly capable or not remains to be seen. To be honest with you, Brother Lu, I personally came out of seclusion precisely because I heard there would be an opportunity to confront this ‘Master Dian.’ I’m quite curious to see what abilities this national teacher, Master Dian, actually possesses.”
Mei Qing noticed the resentment hidden beneath Zhang Jingding’s composed expression and sighed inwardly. It was said that cultivators should be indifferent and free of desires, yet when it came to matters concerning the fate and fortune of their sects, no one could truly remain detached.
Since the founding of the dynasty, it had been a widely known fact that the Zhengyi sect was favored while the Quanzhen sect was looked down upon. Although the Celestial Masters of Longhushan had lost imperial favor, their successors, Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen, still firmly believed in the lineage of talisman-based practices, and the Quanzhen sect’s situation had not improved at all, nearly reaching a dead end.
Therefore, at the first opportunity to confront Tao Zhongwen directly, Zhang Jingding had practically set out in person without hesitation.
Mei Qing could even guess that Zhang Jingding likely had great determination in his heart regarding this confrontation. He would rather fight to the bitter end, even at the cost of mutual destruction, just to restore some dignity for the Quanzhen sect in the eyes of the world.
Thinking of this, Mei Qing couldn’t help but glance at Lu Bing, who was smiling faintly. At that moment, Lu Bing was conversing with Zhang Jingding, his expression calm. Yet no one could tell whether he had noticed Zhang Jingding’s intentions or was deliberately using them to entice him to come.
At this point, Lu Bing turned to Lu Xixing and said, “Although Daoist friend Lu is still young, his cultivation is exceptionally outstanding. Those present may not be familiar with him yet, but in future cooperation, we should get to know each other better and become closer.”
Lu Xixing humbly replied, explaining that he had originally been a scholar, but after failing the provincial examinations nine times, he gave up Confucianism to become a Daoist and lived in seclusion in the mountains. Later, in a dream, he received guidance on alchemical techniques from Master Lü, after which his cultivation greatly improved.
Although everyone nodded in agreement regarding the tale of Master Lü’s guidance, they clearly didn’t seem to believe it very much. Lu Xixing noticed this, smiled, and said no more.
Just at that moment, a voice suddenly came from afar: “Has my younger martial brother been well? This humble elder brother, Tao Zhongwen, accompanied by a few friends, has come to pay a visit. Please open the door and receive us.”
The voice was very calm, yet concentrated and unbroken, echoing long and lingering in front of the hall, fading only after resounding several times.
Upon hearing this voice, Zhang Jingding slightly furrowed his brow, glanced at Zhao Zhen Song, who was intently staring at Mei Qing beside him, sighed lightly, then gradually relaxed his brows, his eyes now showing more determination.
Liu Xing gave a slight snort and loudly said, “Senior Brother, why have you left your position as the national teacher at court to come to this remote and desolate place? Since you’ve come, do you think I won’t open the door and you won’t be able to come in?”
After speaking, Liu Xing, together with Lu Bing, Zhang Jingding, Lu Xixing, and others, rose to their feet and instantly appeared outside the mansion gate.
Outside the gate, five people stood in a line.
At the sight of them, Mei Qing couldn’t help but feel a jolt of surprise.
Tao Zhongwen naturally stood at the forefront. He was of medium build, and perhaps due to a life of ease and comfort, bore the air of a wealthy gentleman. His face was round and pale, his full beard, about half a foot long, neatly combed. Even those like Mei Qing, who had long heard of his reputation and carefully observed, could detect only a faint ripple of true energy from him. Behind him stood two elderly Daoists.
The first was a Daoist of imposing stature, over eight feet tall, with a face like a red jujube. His hair and beard were both thick and wild, and the Daoist robe he wore shimmered with golden light. In his hand was a jade-handled fly whisk, and his eyes shone with piercing brilliance. He stepped forward and boomed in a voice like a copper bell, “This humble Daoist, Huang Guxu of the Lingbao Pavilion, greets Master Liu.” He didn’t even glance at Lu Bing and the others.
Upon hearing the old Daoist’s name, Lu Bing and the others were startled. Huang Guxu was a senior figure from the Pavilion sect, having entered the Dao in the Xuande era. In terms of seniority, he was even older than Zhang Jingding. It was said that he had long since retreated into seclusion and no longer concerned himself with worldly affairs. No one could imagine how Tao Zhongwen had managed to bring him out today.
Liu Xing naturally knew of Huang Guxu’s great reputation. Though his heart churned with emotion, his face remained calm as he exchanged greetings with Huang Guxu.
Huang Guxu took a step back, then looked up at the sky with an air of indifference, ignoring everyone.
Another short and small Taoist behind him then stepped forward, grinning and revealing a mouthful of black teeth. He said, “This old Taoist is Zhuo Wanchun from Maoshan of the Shangqing sect. I’ve always earned my living by exorcising ghosts and demons. Ah, gentlemen, if you have any business in need, please be sure to give this old fellow a chance to help!”
Everyone was startled, and Liu Xing exclaimed in surprise, “Could the senior be the ‘Little Immortal’ Shangyangzi? So you are actually from Maoshan Upper Clarity Sect. This junior greets you respectfully.”
Zhuo Wanchun waved his hands frantically and said, “What ‘Little Immortal’ or not? I’m just like a beggar, only bringing shame to the Maoshan Upper Clarity Sect. If it weren’t for needing to bear witness here today, I wouldn’t even dare to mention my sect’s name.”
When they heard the bitterness in his tone as he mentioned not daring to speak of his sect, everyone involuntarily felt a chill in their hearts. This “Little Immortal” Zhuo Wanchun was a well-known wandering cultivator in Fujian, rumored to have been living in seclusion in the mountains. Because of his small stature, people called him “Little Immortal.” Yet no one had ever known he was actually from Maoshan.
At the sight of the imposing presence of these two, Lu Bing and the others felt deeply uneasy. Traditionally, the “Three Mountains” sects—Longhu Celestial Masters, Maoshan Upper Clarity, and Pavilion Lingbao—stood as equals, each vying for dominance. Later, the Longhu Celestial Masters gained imperial support, and with the emergence of Zhang Liusun, they unified the Daoist community, suppressing Maoshan and Pavilion beneath them, a situation that had lasted over two hundred years. Now, two senior elders from these two sects, who had long been absent from the public eye, suddenly appeared together here—how could this not alarm everyone?
After Zhuo Wanchun finished speaking, he lowered his head and hugged a tattered cloth banner, lost in thought.
When everyone turned their gaze to the other two, they were startled once again.
These two were dressed in a very peculiar manner.
The one in front wore a tattered fur coat that covered his body like a long tube. His waist was tied with a long vine, and on his feet were fur boots with turned-up edges. In his hand was a long wooden staff, one end of which bore several green, leafy branches, fresh and vivid, as if just picked.
Behind him stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with a dark red complexion and a full beard. He wore a large fur hat and an upper garment made of fine silk, which was greasy and dirty, shining with an unpleasant sheen. A jade belt hung from his waist, adorned with a drum, copper bells, and two masks whose appearances could not be clearly discerned.
When the big man saw everyone looking at the two of them, his face turned even redder, almost purplish, and he took a big step forward, shouting loudly, “My name is Budar. This… is my master, Master Ninggu.”
When everyone heard him speak, they found his accent extremely strange, as if each word were being bitten out one by one.
Mei Qing and Lu Bing looked closely and both suddenly changed expression.
As Mei Qing looked at Master Ninggu, he saw that Ninggu was also looking at him. Their eyes met, and suddenly Ninggu smiled at Mei Qing, his gaze filled with deep meaning.
That single glance sent a tremor through Mei Qing’s heart. At that moment, Ninggu appeared to him like a towering tree reaching into the sky, so lofty and supreme that an involuntary urge to kneel and worship arose within him.
Mei Qing quickly circulated his true energy, with the dual lights of sun and moon swirling together, finally managing to suppress the inner tremor.
Taking a deep breath, Mei Qing looked at Ninggu again, only to see him now appear completely ordinary, with no trace of any special qualities.
So it was Ninggu who was the most highly cultivated among all these people! Mei Qing was deeply shocked and uncertain. From what he could sense, perhaps only the Zhang Liusun and Xu Fu he had seen before might be able to match this master’s abilities. But such a high-level expert—where had he come from?
Mei Qing felt inwardly anxious. Just from observing the opposing side, the situation that their side had previously felt confident about had completely shifted in favor of the enemy.
Lu Bing was even more shocked than Mei Qing. He fixed his gaze on Ninggu and asked gravely, “Master, could you be from the Mongols in the north?”
At these words, everyone’s eyes showed alarm, and their gazes toward the other side inevitably turned more hostile.
No wonder Master Ninggu and Budar looked and sounded so strange—they were actually great shamans from Mongolia!
When Budar heard Lu Bing’s question, he hesitated and looked toward his master. Seeing that Ninggu kept his eyes closed and showed no reaction, he then glanced at Tao Zhongwen and stammered, “The Master Dian said we couldn’t tell you where we’re from.”
Upon hearing Budar’s unintentional confession, everyone’s eyes turned together toward Tao Zhongwen. Even Huang Guxu and Zhuo Wanchun on the opposing side showed signs of discomfort on their faces.
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