True! Yao Mansion! Lu Bing and Mei Qing both had the same thought at the same time, and their hearts immediately felt a jolt.
At that moment, both Lu Bing and Mei Qing had wanted to keep Bi Zhen and her daughter at the mansion, believing it to be a safer place and unwilling to involve the mother and daughter in this conflict. Yet they hadn’t expected that this battle would far exceed their initial expectations. Now, the Yao mansion had instead become a vulnerable weak point, poorly defended and lacking in high-level experts.
“Father-in-law, take your men and quickly return to the manor. I will ask Master Ku to assist you!” Mei Qing hurriedly said, immediately sending a message to Master Ku for help.
Master Ku nodded slightly, and together with several elder monks, rose simultaneously with Lu Bing and flew toward the manor where Bi Zhen’s mother resided.
Before departing, Lu Bing instructed, “I’ll leave Zhang Jingding here to assist you. Be cautious—if the situation turns unfavorable, retreat quickly to regroup!”
Mei Qing nodded. Zhang Jingding had clearly come for the sake of Dian Zhenren Tao Zhongwen, so naturally, he wouldn’t help defend the estate. Lu Bing took Lu Xixing and the inner group of guards with him, leaving only Lu Zeyou behind, clearly to accompany Zhang Jingding. After all, Zhang Jingding was an honored guest specially invited by Lu Bing, so someone had to stay behind to attend to him.
In fact, the current level of combat had already surpassed the capabilities of Lu Bing’s subordinates. Therefore, Mei Qing had invited Master Ku for assistance. Among Master Ku’s group of monks, except for Ku himself, the rest were generally reluctant to engage in battle, being more inclined toward compassion than martial prowess. However, when it came to defending the manor, they would be like an iron wall, ensuring everyone’s safety. Therefore, Mei Qing quickly made a decision—he left Zhang Yuchong’s group behind and invited Master Ku and his monks to Yao Mansion.
After the arrangements were complete and watching everyone leave, Mei Qing did not feel relieved. Instead, he felt even more uneasy. Yet the current situation allowed no time for deep thought, so he quietly exchanged a few words with Liu Xing, then began secretly preparing himself, carefully observing and guarding against any unexpected developments.
Seeing Lu Bing and others hastily depart, Tao Zhongwen and his group did not attempt to stop them. Instead, they wore expressions of mockery, watching from afar and appearing even more inscrutable.
Zhang Yuchong, sensing Mei Qing’s concerns through his spiritual awareness, turned to Zhuo Wanchun and said, “Even if you have some underhanded little schemes, what good will they do? Do you really think your side has the upper hand now?”
Zhuo Wanchun shook his head. “Since ancient times, when has the cultivation world ever determined strength by numbers? As for your allies—” He glanced at the people behind Zhang Yuchong and continued, “How many of them are truly here to help you? For years, the Celestial Master’s sect has dominated, and other sects have merely harbored resentment in silence. Do you really think they will risk offending the Imperial Cultivator and endangering their own lives just to help you? Now, the Ming dynasty’s fortune is at its peak, and the Plum sect is destined to rise. All sects will naturally follow this trend.”
Zhang Yuchong’s expression stiffened, and Mei Qing also understood Zhuo Wanchun’s intention. Sure enough, Zhuo Wanchun loudly addressed the crowd, “Today’s matter has already been fully planned by Dian Zhenren. Unifying the Daoist sects, eliminating rebels, and glorifying the Plum sect—all will be decided today. I dare to ask everyone here, please remain neutral observers for now. Once the truth is revealed, I only ask you all to bear witness. How does that sound?”
Upon hearing this, the expressions of those behind Zhang Yuchong indeed showed signs of wavering.
Mei Qing felt a chill in his heart. Zhuo Wanchun not only possessed formidable cultivation but also had an extremely accurate grasp of the other sects’ mental states. By invoking Tao Zhongwen’s status as the Imperial Cultivator and referencing the past dominance of the Celestial Master sect, he had indeed stirred the underlying anxieties among the crowd.
Originally, their advantage lay in their greater numbers. However, when it came to the top-tier experts, their strength was roughly equal, perhaps even slightly inferior. If these people indeed remained neutral observers, the outcome of the impending battle would become uncertain. Mei Qing’s mind raced, but at this moment, he was not the one to take charge. He could only look toward Zhang Yuchong, watching how his master would respond.
Zhang Yuchong naturally understood the other party’s intentions, but he did not immediately turn to those behind him. Instead, he sneered coldly, “Since when has Zhuo brother been authorized to speak for the imperial court? Has Dian Zhenren come here today on the emperor’s orders, to restructure the Daoist sects like Zhang Liusun of previous dynasties? Has Zhuo brother himself already entered the imperial court? Has even the Ninggu Great Shaman been employed by the dynasty?”
Zhuo Wanchun’s face flushed with anger, but Zhang Yuchong’s words were indeed sharp and required a response. He forced himself to reply, “We cultivators are not worldly officials needing imperial titles. Our respect for the dynasty is merely because it aligns with the Dao of Heaven. We cultivators follow the great trend of Heaven. That is why we hold it in reverence. As for Master Ninggu, he came here seeking Mei Qing. What does that have to do with us?”
Mei Qing inwardly chuckled. This “Junior Immortal” Zhuo Wanchun indeed possessed some skill in negotiation—shifting blame and evading responsibility, yet speaking so convincingly. Zhang Yuchong laughed heartily, then suddenly turned toward Tao Zhongwen and said, “Dian Zhenren, I don’t want to waste words on lies anymore. But you and I have had this grudge for over a decade. Today should finally settle it. Before all the Daoist sects of the world, I ask you plainly—do you dare to fight this old Taoist?”
Mei Qing inwardly cheered. His master was indeed seasoned. No matter how much the other side spoke, they had not yet directly confronted Tao Zhongwen’s banner. Now, Zhang Yuchong had directly challenged him in front of everyone, clearly striking at the core. If Tao Zhongwen faltered in battle, all their talk would become meaningless.
However, whether Zhang Yuchong could truly defeat Tao Zhongwen, Mei Qing could not be certain. Although Zhang Yuchong was a generation’s Celestial Master, Tao Zhongwen came from the Plum sect and had undergone extensive trials over the years. Having served as the Imperial Cultivator, he had naturally gained many advantages. Meanwhile, after Zhang Yuchong’s past defeat against the Plum sect’s Grandmaster, both his body and spirit had suffered damage. Now, facing each other, it was uncertain whether he could certainly emerge victorious.
Therefore, Mei Qing had a sudden thought—he wanted to step forward and take this first battle for his master.
Mei Qing was not arrogant. Although his cultivation was somewhat inferior to both Zhang Yuchong and Tao Zhongwen, he still had his own advantages.
The Plum sect’s Daoist techniques were originally derived from those of the Shenxiao sect. Although they might have included some variations, their core essence remained the same. While they held an advantage over techniques from other sects, against Mei Qing, who had learned the orthodox Shenxiao Thunder Dao, this advantage would no longer exist.
Though Mei Qing lacked extensive experience, he had at least faced off against Zhang Liusun before, and psychologically, he had no inferiority. No matter how high Tao Zhongwen’s cultivation was, it could not possibly surpass Zhang Liusun’s. Therefore, Mei Qing believed that at the very least, he had the ability to protect himself.
Moreover, Mei Qing was a junior disciple, yet precisely the person Tao Zhongwen had been loudly seeking. With this identity, Tao Zhongwen would find it hard to avoid a fight. If Mei Qing found the situation unfavorable and withdrew, it would not be considered disgraceful.
Thus, Mei Qing decided to step forward and test the waters for his master. He laughed and said, “Master, as the saying goes, ‘Why use an ox knife to kill a chicken?’ Let the disciple bear the burden. Since Dian Zhenren has come specifically for me, perhaps I should take the first step. If I cannot prevail, then you can step in.”
Zhang Yuchong chuckled, “I have no objection, but I’m afraid Dian Zhenren might fear this rising young talent. In front of all the Daoist sects of the world, defeating a junior disciple would bring no glory. But if, by any chance, he were to lose, where would that leave his old face?”
Zhuo Wanchun, hearing the master and disciple speaking as if he were not even present, and hearing them provoke Tao Zhongwen into battle, was secretly furious. He inwardly thought, “This brat, barely out of his cradle, dares to challenge me! If he’s so eager for an early demise, let this Daoist send him on his way!”
With that, Zhuo Wanchun stepped forward, his sleeves flaring behind him, and a forceful pressure suddenly surged toward Mei Qing.
Zhang Yuchong stood aside, chuckling with no intention of intervening.
Under Zhuo Wanchun’s oppressive pressure, Mei Qing appeared utterly unaffected, shaking his head repeatedly as he said, “Esteemed Junior Immortal, I must say, you’re getting worked up over nothing. You, an elder of such age, should know better. That Dian Zhenren brought you all the way here precisely to find me, right? He even accused me of killing his master. Now that I’ve stepped forward, isn’t that exactly what he wanted? What business do you have interfering here?”
Seeing Mei Qing so nonchalant and speaking so calmly, Zhuo Wanchun was furious. In his years of cultivation, despite his later anonymity, his cultivation had earned him respect wherever he went. Now, this young upstart dared to ignore him completely—how could he possibly endure it? He immediately roared, “Why shouldn’t I intervene? Isn’t the world everyone’s to concern themselves with!?”
These words carried hidden techniques. In his Shangqing Maoshan sect, Zhuo Wanchun had mastered a secret method derived from the Buddhist Lion’s Roar, adapted into Daoist practice. In past battles, he often used this method to launch surprise attacks, always achieving success. Seeing Mei Qing standing there so carelessly, he immediately tested it, secretly planning that if the young man couldn’t withstand the pressure and was injured, he would strike immediately, eliminating this brat to establish dominance in today’s battle.
However, his calculations were sound, but Mei Qing still stood there smiling, as if he hadn’t heard anything, and cheerfully replied, “The world belongs to everyone? Then let me ask—Mei Qing also has a matter to settle with Dian Zhenren. He accused me of killing his master and came to confront me. Now everyone knows that accusation was false. I won’t even accuse him of slander. The issue is—he once plotted against my master. I have a score to settle with him. Master, how do you intend to interfere in that?”
Zhuo Wanchun had originally exuded an overwhelming aura, but Mei Qing completely ignored it. With a few light words, Mei Qing left Zhuo Wanchun momentarily stunned. Indeed, years ago, when Zhang Yuchong had nearly died fighting the Plum sect’s Grandmaster, it had been the scheme of Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen. Now, as a disciple, Mei Qing had come to settle the score. If Zhuo Wanchun were to interfere, it would indeed seem unreasonable.
Yet if he allowed Mei Qing to continue speaking and debating the matter, his side would only fall into a passive position. Earlier, Zhuo Wanchun’s secret technique had failed, and he now realized that although Mei Qing was young, his cultivation was indeed formidable. Thus, clenching his teeth and disregarding his dignity, Zhuo Wanchun shouted loudly, “Fine! If that’s the case, I shall intervene!”
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