Zhen Song had just heard his master speak so highly of Mei Qing. Now, looking at himself like this, although he is straightforward by nature, he is not stupid. He immediately understood his master’s thoughts and felt a surge of resentment. In his eyes, Mei Qing was much younger than himself and showed not the slightest hint of cultivation. He probably didn’t have any truly remarkable skills. Perhaps he was just pretending to be supernatural and deceiving others here.
Upon learning that this young man was actually the son-in-law of the sixth commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, his disdain deepened. What kind of ability is it for a real man to rely on his pretty boy looks and the support of his father-in-law to gain favor? As he thought this, a trace of contempt inevitably surfaced in his eyes.
However, since his master and Lu Bing were both present, Zhao Zhen Song naturally dared not act recklessly. He merely secretly resolved that if an opportunity arose, he would surely expose this pretty boy’s true nature, making him lose face publicly and stop boasting in front of everyone.
If Mei Qing had known about this, he would undoubtedly feel wronged. After all, it was Zhang Jingding who had praised him, and he had never boasted about himself. But Zhao Zhen simply disliked him on sight, and naturally attributed every fault—real or imagined—to him.
Seeing the atmosphere inside the hall had become somewhat stifled, Lu Bing quickly laughed heartily and said, “Originally, we hadn’t intended to trouble Daoist friends Zhang and Lu with this matter. However, since the opposing side is not only quite strong in cultivation, but also has considerable backing, we had no choice but to invite you two to join us as reinforcements. However, the other side has yet to make an appearance, so we have no idea what they are planning.”
Zhang Jingding laughed loudly and said, “Brother Lu, what are you saying? That ‘Master Dian,’ Tao Zhongwen—what a big name he carries! I wonder whether he truly has the skills to back it up. To be honest, Brother Lu, I came out of seclusion myself precisely because I heard there might be a chance to confront this ‘Master Dian.’ I’m quite curious to see what abilities this imperial master truly possesses.”
Zhen Song, having just heard his master praise Mei Qing so highly, now turned his gaze towards himself. Although he was somewhat straightforward, he wasn’t foolish and immediately understood his master’s thoughts, feeling a surge of indignation. In his eyes, Mei Qing was much younger and showed no signs of cultivation, leading him to suspect that Mei Qing might not possess any real skill. He thought Mei Qing might be putting on a show to deceive everyone.
Upon learning that Mei Qing was the son-in-law of the sixth master from the Imperial Guards, Zhen Song felt even more disdain. In his view, a real man shouldn’t rely on his good looks or his father-in-law’s influence to gain respect. As these thoughts crossed his mind, a hint of contempt inadvertently showed in his eyes.
However, with his master and Lu Bing present, Zhen Song dared not act out. He secretly resolved to expose Mei Qing’s true nature at the first opportunity, to humiliate him and prevent him from boasting in front of everyone.
If Mei Qing knew of these thoughts, he would surely feel wronged. It was Zhang Jingding who had praised him; he had never boasted about himself. Yet, Zhen Song simply disliked him and was quick to attribute all sorts of faults to him.
Lu Bing, noticing the tense atmosphere, quickly laughed and said, “We didn’t want to trouble you both, but our opponent is not only skilled but also has significant support. That’s why we sought your assistance. However, our opponent has yet to show themselves, and we’re unsure of their plans.”
Zhang Jingding laughed heartily, “Master Lu, you’re too kind. Tao Zhongwen, the so-called ‘True Man,’ has a big reputation, but I wonder if he’s truly capable. To be honest, it was the chance to confront him that brought me out of seclusion. I’m eager to see what the ‘True Man,’ who holds the title of National Preceptor, is truly capable of.”
Mei Qing, observing Zhang Jingding’s calm demeanor masking his underlying determination, sighed inwardly. It’s said that cultivators should be detached and desireless, but when it comes to the fate of their sect, no one can remain indifferent.
Since the founding of the dynasty, the Zheng Yi sect has been elevated while the Quanzhen sect has been marginalized, a fact well known to all. Although the Heavenly Master of Dragon and Tiger Mountain has fallen out of favor, figures like Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen still represent the talisman lineage, leaving the Quanzhen sect in a dire situation, almost at the brink of collapse.
Thus, when the opportunity to confront Tao Zhongwen arose, Zhang Jingding didn’t hesitate to come out of seclusion.
Mei Qing even speculated that Zhang Jingding was determined to win this confrontation, willing to risk everything to restore the Quanzhen sect’s honor in the eyes of the world.
Thinking this, Mei Qing couldn’t help but glance at Lu Bing, who was calmly conversing with Zhang Jingding. He wondered if Lu Bing was unaware of Zhang Jingding’s intentions or if he was deliberately using this to provoke him.
At this moment, Lu Bing turned to Lu Xixing and said, “Though you’re young, your cultivation is exceptional. Many here may not yet be familiar with you, but we should get to know each other better as we work together.”
Lu Xixing modestly declined the praise, explaining that he had been a scholar who failed the provincial exams nine times before turning to Daoism and living in seclusion. He claimed to have received guidance from Lü Dongbin in a dream, which greatly advanced his cultivation.
While everyone nodded politely at his story, it was clear they were skeptical. Lu Xixing smiled and didn’t elaborate further.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from afar, “Brother Liu, it’s been a while. I, Tao Zhongwen, along with a few friends, have come to pay a visit. Would you kindly open the door?”
The voice was calm yet resonant, lingering in the hall before fading away.
Hearing this, Zhang Jingding frowned slightly, glanced at Zhen Song, who was intently watching Mei Qing, and sighed softly. His expression gradually relaxed, but his eyes grew more determined.
Liu Xing snorted and said loudly, “Second Brother, instead of enjoying your position as National Preceptor, what brings you to this remote place? Since you’re here, do you really need me to open the door for you?”
With that, Liu Xing, along with Lu Bing, Zhang Jingding, and Lu Xixing, stood up and instantly appeared outside the mansion gate.
Outside stood five individuals.
Seeing them, Mei Qing was startled.
Tao Zhongwen stood at the forefront. He was of average height, with the demeanor of a wealthy man, perhaps due to his comfortable lifestyle. His face was round and smiling, with a neatly groomed beard. Even those who had heard of him could only faintly sense a trace of true energy. Behind him were two elderly Daoists.
The first Daoist was over eight feet tall, with a ruddy complexion and wild hair and beard. His Daoist robe shimmered with golden light, and he held a jade-handled whisk. His eyes gleamed with intensity as he stepped forward and boomed, “I am Huang Guxu of the Lingbao Gezao sect, greetings to Master Liu.” He completely ignored Lu Bing and the others.
Hearing his name, Lu Bing and the others were shocked. Huang Guxu was a senior of the Gezao sect, having entered the Dao during the Xuande era, making him far more experienced than Zhang Jingding. It was said he had long retired from worldly affairs, so it was surprising that Tao Zhongwen had managed to bring him here.
Liu Xing, though inwardly shaken, maintained his composure and greeted Huang Guxu.
Huang Guxu stepped back, looking up at the sky, ignoring everyone.
The second Daoist, a short man with blackened teeth, stepped forward and said with a grin, “I am Zhuo Wanchun of the Shangqing Maoshan sect, making a living by catching ghosts and demons. If any of you gentlemen have business, please consider me.”
Everyone was surprised, and Liu Xing exclaimed, “Could you be the ‘Little Immortal’ Shangyangzi? So you’re from the Shangqing Maoshan sect. My respects.”
Zhuo Wanchun waved his hands dismissively, “Little Immortal? I’m just a beggar who brings shame to the Shangqing Maoshan sect. If it weren’t for today’s need for witnesses, I wouldn’t dare mention my sect.”
When he spoke of “bringing shame to the sect,” there was a hint of bitterness in his voice, making everyone uneasy. Zhuo Wanchun, known as the “Little Immortal,” was a well-known hermit in Fujian, always living in the fields. Due to his short stature, people called him “Little Immortal,” but no one knew he was from Maoshan.
Seeing the presence of these two, Lu Bing and the others felt uneasy. Historically, the three great Daoist sects—Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Shangqing Maoshan, and Lingbao Gezao—were evenly matched. However, with the support of the court and the rise of Zhang Liushun, Dragon and Tiger Mountain had dominated the Daoist world, suppressing Maoshan and Gezao for over two hundred years. Now, with these two long-absent seniors suddenly appearing, it was indeed alarming.
Zhuo Wanchun lowered his head, clutching a tattered cloth banner, lost in thought.
When the others looked at the remaining two, they were equally surprised.
The first man wore a tattered leather robe that covered him from head to toe, tied at the waist with a long vine. His boots were made of fur, and he held a long wooden staff with fresh green leaves, as if it had just been plucked.
Behind him stood a burly man with a dark red face and a full beard, wearing a large fur hat and a greasy silk robe. A jade belt hung with a drum, bells, and two indistinct masks.
The burly man, noticing everyone’s gaze, blushed deeply and stepped forward, saying loudly, “I’m Buda, and this is my master, Ninggu.”
His accent was strange, as if he were biting out each word.
Mei Qing and Lu Bing, upon closer inspection, were visibly shocked.
When Mei Qing looked at Ninggu, their eyes met. Ninggu suddenly smiled at Mei Qing, his gaze profound.
That single glance shook Mei Qing to his core. In his eyes, Ninggu seemed like a towering tree, inspiring an overwhelming urge to kneel.
Mei Qing’s true energy surged, and the dual essences of the sun and moon swirled within him, calming his racing heart.
Taking a deep breath, Mei Qing looked at Ninggu again, but now he appeared ordinary, with nothing special about him.
It was clear that Ninggu was the most powerful among them. Mei Qing was filled with doubt, feeling that only Zhang Liushun and Xu Fu, whom he had met before, could rival this master. But where had such a figure come from?
Mei Qing grew increasingly worried. From the looks of the opposing group, the confidence they had felt earlier had completely shifted in favor of the other side.
Lu Bing was even more shocked. He stared intently at Ninggu and asked, “Master, are you from the northern Mongol lands?”
At this, everyone’s eyes showed surprise, and their gazes towards the newcomers turned wary.
No wonder Ninggu and Buda looked and sounded so strange. They were Mongol shamans!
Buda hesitated at Lu Bing’s question, looking at his master. Seeing Ninggu’s eyes closed and no response, he glanced at Tao Zhongwen and stammered, “The True Man said we shouldn’t reveal our origins.”
Hearing Buda’s inadvertent confession, everyone turned their eyes to Tao Zhongwen. Even Huang Guxu and Zhuo Wanchun looked uncomfortable.
Since the founding of the dynasty, it had been a widely known fact that the Zhengyi sect had been favored while the Quanzhen sect had been looked down upon. Although the Celestial Masters of Mount Longhu had lost imperial favor, their successors, Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen, still considered themselves the inheritors of the talisman lineage. The Quanzhen sect’s situation had hardly improved and had nearly reached a dead end.
Therefore, at the first opportunity to confront Tao Zhongwen directly, Zhang Jingding had almost without hesitation come out of seclusion himself.
Mei Qing could even guess that Zhang Jingding likely considered this confrontation a must-win battle. He would rather fight to the bitter end, even if it meant mutual destruction, just to restore some dignity for the Quanzhen sect in the eyes of the world.
Thinking thus, Mei Qing couldn’t help glancing at Lu Bing, who was smiling faintly. Lu Bing was now conversing with Zhang Jingding, his expression calm. But whether he had failed to perceive Zhang’s intentions or was deliberately using them to entice his participation remained unclear.
At this moment, Lu Bing turned to Lu Xixing and said, “Although Daoist friend Lu is still young, his cultivation is truly exceptional. Perhaps many present are not yet familiar with him, but in the future, as we work together, we should get to know each other better and become closer.”
Lu Xixing modestly declined the praise and introduced himself. Originally a scholar, he had taken the provincial examinations nine times without success, so he abandoned Confucianism for Daoism and retreated into seclusion in the mountains. Later, he had once dreamed of receiving secret instructions on alchemical techniques from Master Lü, after which his cultivation rapidly advanced.
Although everyone nodded politely at Lu’s tale of receiving guidance from Master Lü, few seemed convinced. Seeing this, Lu Xixing simply smiled and said no more.
Just then, a distant voice suddenly called out, “Brother Liu, hope you’ve been well. This is your elder brother, Tao Zhongwen, visiting with a few companions. We humbly request an audience. Please open the door and meet us.”
The voice was very calm, yet it remained focused and undispersed, echoing long and lingeringly before gradually fading away.
Upon hearing this voice, Zhang Jingding slightly furrowed his brow. Glancing at Zhao Zhen, who was still glaring at Mei Qing, he softly sighed, his brow gradually relaxing, though his eyes now carried a firmer determination.
Liu Xing gave a slight snort and loudly replied, “Elder Brother, why have you left your comfortable position as imperial master back in the capital 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 enter?”
With that, Liu Xing, together with Lu Bing, Zhang Jingding, Lu Xixing, and others, stood up. In the blink of an eye, they directly appeared outside the mansion gate.
Outside the gate, five figures stood in a line.
At the sight of these people, Mei Qing couldn’t help but feel startled.
Tao Zhongwen naturally stood at the forefront. His medium build, perhaps from years of living in comfort, bore the appearance of a wealthy man. His face was round and pale, smiling broadly, with a neatly combed beard of medium length. Even those like Mei Qing, who had long heard of his reputation, could only faintly detect a slight ripple of true energy upon careful examination. Behind him stood two elderly Daoists.
The first old Daoist was over eight chi tall, with a face like a red jujube. His hair and beard were both wild and unkempt. His Daoist robe shimmered with golden light, and he held a jade-handled whisk in his hand. His eyes radiated sharp brilliance as he stepped forward and boomed in a voice like a bronze bell, “This humble Daoist, Huang Guxu of the Lingbao Pavilion, greets Master Liu.” He didn’t even glance at Lu Bing and the others.
At the mention of this old Daoist’s name, Lu Bing and the others were all shocked. Huang Guxu was a senior 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 involved himself in worldly affairs. No one could imagine how Tao Zhongwen had managed to persuade him to come today.
Liu Xing naturally knew of Huang Guxu’s reputation. Though his heart churned like stormy seas, his face betrayed no emotion as he exchanged greetings with Huang Guxu.
After Huang Guxu stepped back, he raised his eyes to the sky, ignoring everyone else.
The second Daoist, a short and small-statured old man, stepped forward. Grinning, he revealed a set of blackened teeth and said, “This old Daoist is Zhuo Wanchun of Maoshan from the Shangqing sect. I make my living catching ghosts and demons. Ah, if any of you gentlemen have business, please remember to support this old fellow.”
Everyone was startled. Liu Xing, surprised, asked, “Could you possibly be the ‘Little Immortal’ Shangyangzi? So you are actually from Maoshan! My respects, Senior.”
Zhuo Wanchun waved both hands and said, “What ‘Little Immortal’? I’m just a beggar-like figure who only brings shame to the Maoshan sect. If it weren’t for some need to bear witness today, I wouldn’t even dare mention my sect background.”
As he said the words “not dare mention my sect background,” a trace of bitterness laced his tone, causing everyone to shiver inwardly. This “Little Immortal” Zhuo Wanchun was a well-known wandering cultivator in Fujian, reputedly living in seclusion in the countryside. Due to 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 figures, Lu Bing and the others felt deeply uneasy. Traditionally, the three great mountains—Longhu (Dragon Tiger), Maoshan (Mao Mountain), and Gezao (Pavilion Mountain)—stood as equals, each holding its own. Later, with imperial support and the rise of Zhang Liusun, the Longhu sect dominated the Daoist world, suppressing Maoshan and Gezao beneath it for over two hundred years. Now, two senior elders from these two sects, long absent from public view, had appeared together here—how could this not be alarming?
After Zhuo Wanchun spoke, he lowered his head, hugging a tattered cloth banner in his arms, lost in thought.
When the group looked at the other two figures, they were startled once again.
These two were dressed in a very strange manner.
The one in front wore a tattered leather robe, shaped like a long cylinder covering his body from top to bottom. A long vine belt was tied around his waist, and on his feet were fur-lined boots. In his hand was a long wooden staff, one end of which bore several green, leafy branches, fresh and vivid green, as if just picked.
Behind him stood a tall, broad-shouldered man, his face dark red and covered with thick beard. He wore a large fur hat and an upper-class silk robe, which was greasy and shiny with dirt. A jade belt hung from his waist, adorned with a drum, copper bells, and two indistinct masks.
As everyone turned to look at the two of them, the big man’s face turned even redder, nearly purpling. He took a large step forward and shouted, “My name is Budan. This… is my master, Master Ninggu.”
Everyone found his accent strange, as if he were biting out each word separately.
Mei Qing and Lu Bing looked closely and their faces changed dramatically.
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 carrying deep and meaningful implications.
With just this glance, Mei Qing’s heart was shaken profoundly. To him, Ninggu seemed like a towering tree reaching the heavens, so lofty and mighty that an urge to kneel involuntarily arose.
Mei Qing’s true energy surged rapidly through his body, with the dual lights of sun and moon swirling together, just barely suppressing the tremor in his heart.
Mei Qing took a deep breath. When he looked at Ninggu again, the latter appeared ordinary once more, showing no sign of anything unusual.
So it was Master Ninggu who was the most powerful among them all! Mei Qing’s heart was filled with alarm and confusion. From his perception, only the late Zhang Liusun and Xu Fu, whom he had once encountered, might possibly rival this master. But how had such a high-level expert suddenly appeared from nowhere?
Mei Qing felt deep concern. Just from the opposing side’s lineup, the confidence his own group had previously felt was now completely overturned.
Lu Bing was even more shocked than Mei Qing. His eyes locked onto Master Ninggu as he gravely asked, “Master, are you perhaps from the Mongols of the northern lands?”
At these words, everyone’s eyes showed alarm, and their gazes toward the two became even more hostile.
No wonder Master Ninggu and Budan looked and sounded so strange—they were actually great shamans from Mongolia!
When Budan heard Lu Bing’s question, he hesitated and looked toward his master. Seeing that Ninggu remained with his eyes closed and gave no reaction, he then glanced at Tao Zhongwen before stammering, “The Master Dian said we mustn’t tell you our origins.”
Upon hearing Budan’s revealing words, everyone’s eyes turned to Tao Zhongwen. Even Huang Guxu and Zhuo Wanchun on the opposing side showed discomfort on their faces.
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