Chapter 1955: Wang Zuo

Wuxia Xianxia

Qin Sang flew slowly above the Fire Domain.

The Fire Domain was vast and sparsely populated, but Qin Sang could occasionally sense cultivators moving through the magma, seemingly searching for something. He even found two Nascent Soul cultivators wandering near his dojo. The dojo was sealed by a spirit formation, so they naturally couldn't detect it.

Upon entering the dojo, Qin Sang immediately summoned Marquis Gui. When Marquis Gui arrived, Qin Sang handed him a Sumeru Pouch.

"Take these items to Qingyang Temple, retrieve the Earth-Traveling Boat, and go to Mount Mu'luo..."

As Yundu Tian prepared for a major war, Mount Mu'luo would surely not fall behind. Qin Sang intended to seize this opportunity to play both sides. Among his Divine Transformation experts, Ling Shi had a vendetta with Luohun Yuan, while Marquis Gui possessed superior strength and intellect, and with the Earth-Traveling Boat, he could certainly protect himself.

"From now on, when you have no specific tasks, stay at Qingyang Temple for further instructions."

"As you command!"

Marquis Gui bowed and withdrew. He first found Ling Shi to inquire about the situation at Mount Mu'luo, then left the dojo and headed south.

Qin Sang, meanwhile, went directly to the fire chamber. With a wave of his hand, he was surrounded by glowing orbs, which were various magical artifacts and spirit materials.

After Marquis Gui arrived at Qingyang Temple, he was also summoned to the underground chamber. Three Divine Transformation experts waited quietly before the main altar for instructions. The Sumeru Pouch sent by the main body contained some of the spirit materials needed to construct the altars. Qin Sang recorded the method for constructing the altars on a jade slip and handed it to the three demons. He would then preside over the main altar, and the construction of the sub-altars didn't require his personal involvement; the three demons could handle it.

Marquis Gui took the jade slip and the Earth-Traveling Boat and immediately rushed towards Mount Mu'luo. Marquis Luo and Taiyi, at Qingyang Temple, thoroughly comprehended the contents of the jade slip, then also departed with the spirit materials.

The restoration of the altar formation began today!

Neither the young man named Shi nor the Yin family revealed their encounter at Qingyang Temple to outsiders. Xiao Wu and Yu Lang lived a peaceful life day after day at Qingyang Temple. Their most frequent contacts were the villagers of Qipai Village, the students of the academy, and those who came seeking medicine. Here, one could not feel the shifting tides of the cultivation world.

The weather grew cooler. Yellow leaves fluttered down.

Clip-clop...

On the main road, several fast horses were approaching Qipai Village. The leader wore splendid, ornate robes, full of vigor and nobility, with an elegant air about his brows – truly a dashing young master. The few people behind him were all dressed in sturdy attire and carried swords, clearly attendants and guards. Their temples bulged prominently, their riding postures and formation seemed highly unusual, and their eagle-like eyes darted about like lightning, wary of enemies appearing from any direction.

Seeing Qipai Village and the lush bamboo grove from afar, the young master smiled and flicked his reins. "Hup!" Their speed suddenly increased significantly, and the attendants followed effortlessly, as if on level ground, displaying extremely refined horsemanship.

Turning a corner, the young master let out a soft "咦." He saw a large stone standing at the entrance of the bamboo grove, engraved with words like "Those seeking medicine enter here," and a village-like man guarding it.

"Whoa!"

The young master reined in his horse, stopped, glanced at the back of Qipai Village, and asked in a deep voice, "Fellow villager, that bamboo grove should be where the academy is, correct? Why do people seek medicine inside there? Is Daoist Qingfeng of Qingyang Temple no longer here?"

The villager, seeing the visitors' bearing, quickly stood up and replied with a smile, "Young master, you must be from out of town, right? The teacher at the academy is Daoist Yu Lang of Qingyang Temple, and Daoist Yu Lang is Daoist Qingfeng's disciple. Daoist Qingfeng is old now, so he passed the temple on to Daoist Yu Lang. Daoist Yu Lang teaches at the academy during the day and returns to the temple to sleep at night."

"Yu Lang became the temple master?"

A smile appeared at the corner of the young master's mouth. He dismounted and instructed his attendants to wait outside. Several bamboo huts were specially built outside the academy for consultations. The villager asked the young master to sit and wait, then went into the academy to report.

The young master sat patiently, but an uncontainable hint of excitement showed in his expression. He took out a jade pendant and began to play with it in his hand.

Not long after, footsteps were heard from outside. A young Daoist priest in a blue robe walked in; it was Yu Lang. Seeing the young master smilingly looking at him, Yu Lang was startled and full of surprise, "You are... Naoteng?"

It was his childhood friend, Tao Teng, whom he had been separated from for many years! Between his eyebrows, one could vaguely discern the shadow of his former self. At first glance, Yu Lang almost didn't recognize him because the other's demeanor had changed too much. In his youth, Tao Teng came from a good family, but he was just a rich young master. Now, Tao Teng exuded nobility and a graceful air of someone long accustomed to high positions—a bearing even the Jinxian County Magistrate lacked!

Tao Teng's family had moved to the capital city. Initially, they sent a few letters, but due to the long distance, contact gradually ceased. Yu Lang remembered that the Tao family was a merchant family and had gone to the capital for business. But such a demeanor could probably only be cultivated by renowned noble families!

Tao Teng's smile stiffened for a moment. He said angrily, "You almost didn't recognize me, but you remember my nickname perfectly!"

That fleeting expression brought back Yu Lang's old memories. "It really is you, kid!" Yu Lang deliberately walked a circle around Tao Teng, exclaiming in wonder, "Has the Tao family prospered in the capital?"

"Your change is no less significant. This detached and ethereal aura, I've only ever seen it on my master." Tao Teng's expression grew complex, and he suddenly sighed, "You really are a cultivator!"

"You!" Yu Lang was truly stunned. Qipai Village was remote, and no cultivators would specifically come to investigate, so he had never deliberately hidden his cultivation. Even so, mortals shouldn't have been able to discern his true nature. Yet Yu Lang scrutinized Tao Teng, and there was clearly no trace of spiritual energy fluctuation within him.

"Are you the only one allowed to have a connection to immortality?" Tao Teng revealed a triumphant smile. "You little Daoist, you kept me in the dark for so long! Today, I finally get my revenge!"

He gently rubbed the jade pendant in his hand. The pendant flashed, and his aura instantly transformed, revealing him to be a cultivator!

Yu Lang was immediately surprised. "Tenth level of Qi Condensation!" When they parted ways back then, Tao Teng was clearly still a mortal.

"You've already established your foundation, haven't you? This young master is indeed still not as good as you!" Tao Teng deflated for a moment, but quickly regained his triumphant expression. "How about that? Shocked, aren't you!"

Yu Lang honestly nodded. "I really didn't expect it. Did you take a master in the capital city?"

"It's a long story..." Tao Teng cast a spell to isolate the inside from the outside, then sat down face-to-face with Yu Lang.

"Do you remember the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion back then? Even then, I felt that the storyteller and your master couldn't be ordinary people. After returning to the capital, I always regretted leaving too early that day. Later, once, while out for an outing, I accidentally strayed into the deep mountains and unexpectedly stumbled upon my master. He led me into the immortal sect, and only then did I realize that the path of immortality exists in this world..."

Tao Teng lowered his voice and asked curiously, "Are Daoist Qingfeng and the storyteller reclusive grand experts?"

"That day, after we finished drinking, Senior Qingyuan left and never came back. As for my master, I've never seen him act, so he might be very powerful..." Yu Lang couldn't help but think that the gods and ghosts of Jinxian County, the young man named Shi, and the entire Yin family were all extremely respectful towards his master. It was said that the Yin family patriarch was a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor.

"What a pity!" Tao Teng sighed deeply. "That day, my household servants were too meddlesome and insisted on calling me away. I missed hearing the two grand experts discuss the Dao, thus losing out on an immortal opportunity!" Even now, thinking about it, Tao Teng still felt deep regret, slapping his thigh.

"I basically didn't understand most of what Master and Senior Qingyuan discussed, and I'm still confused about it. If you want to know, I can tell you later," Yu Lang said.

"You truly are a good brother! It wasn't for nothing that I kept thinking of you!" Tao Teng was overjoyed, grasping Yu Lang's hand. "After I became a disciple, my master kept me in the deep mountains for cultivation, rarely allowing me to go out, so I had no chance to send you letters. Only last year did my master permit me to descend the mountain. Although I haven't come to see you until now, your great reputation has long reached my ears. Once I settled my affairs, I immediately came to Jinxian County to find you!"

"What sect did you join?" Yu Lang hesitated. There was another question he hadn't asked. Tao Teng, with his noble aura, looked in every way like a scion of a noble family who had enjoyed wealth and luxury in the mortal world, not like a cultivator. Was this the prevailing atmosphere of the cultivation world in the capital?

"I don't know what sect it is either. My master won't tell me, saying that my abilities are too meager and I'd disgrace the sect if I spoke of it!" Tao Teng scratched his head, noticed Yu Lang's gaze, chuckled, and stood up, shaking his brocade robes and accessories, boasting, "How do I look? This is Huzhou brocade, the best in the Yan Kingdom, and Xishan jade, all tributes offered to the imperial family!"

Without waiting for Yu Lang's reply, Tao Teng pointed to the academy and added, "I'm different from you. You are 'playing in the mortal world,' but I truly descended the mountain to 'become mortal'!"

"'Become mortal'..." Yu Lang grew even more puzzled. He now knew that immortals and mortals were different, and not just in terms of strength. Cultivators distanced themselves from the mortal world, firstly because of divine surveillance, and secondly because there were too many temptations in the mortal world, which could easily cloud their Dao heart and lead to neglect in cultivation. Had Tao Teng cultivated some special technique, or did he not take cultivation seriously?

"Exactly! After descending the mountain last year, I sought an audience with the Crown Prince and became his strategist, assisting him in inheriting the great legacy. Those people outside are my subordinates, sent by the Crown Prince to protect me!" Tao Teng said gravely. He seemed unaware that if his words were to spread, they would undoubtedly cause an uproar in the Yan Kingdom!

Yu Lang, teaching at the academy, had some understanding of the Yan Kingdom's court situation. The current emperor was old, and undercurrents stirred within the court. The Crown Prince was the First Prince, the emperor's legitimate son, but his mother, the empress, had died young, and he remained secluded in the Eastern Palace, rumored to be weak-willed. Among the various princes, the Second Prince was the most popular, wise and valiant, skilled in both civil and military arts, and deeply favored by the emperor. Other princes also participated in government affairs and had reputations for virtue. Tao Teng was clearly a cultivator, yet not only was he meddling in court politics, but he was also planning to assist the Crown Prince in ascending the throne! How could the gods and ghosts of the Yan Kingdom's capital allow him to do such a thing?

"My master has a connection with the Capital City God of Yan Kingdom. I swore an oath before the Capital City God that, regardless of success or failure, I would never use even a shred of my magical power to interfere with anything in the mortal world. And at an appropriate time, I would feign death and truly live out a life as a mortal." Tao Teng opened his palm and showed Yu Lang the jade pendant. "This City God Jade was bestowed by the Capital City God. It can conceal my aura and also seal my cultivation. If I attempt to use spiritual power, the Capital City God will immediately detect it, and I will be subjected to severe punishment, with no mercy!"

Yu Lang suddenly understood. No wonder he couldn't discern Tao Teng's cultivation. But he still didn't understand, "Why would you do this?"

"Do you remember what I said in the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion? Back then, the storyteller asked me, 'What is the Great Dao of Humanity?' I answered: 'Between father and son, there should be affection; between ruler and minister, righteousness; between husband and wife, distinct roles; between old and young, proper order; between friends, trustworthiness.' And I also answered: 'When the Great Dao prevails, the world is shared by all. The virtuous and capable are chosen, and faith and harmony are promoted. Thus, people do not only love their own parents, nor only their own children; the elderly are enabled to live out their lives, the able-bodied are given employment, the young are provided with growth, and the widowed, orphaned, lonely, and disabled are all cared for. But...'"

Tao Teng stood up, looking out at the bamboo grove. "The storyteller didn't seem to agree. After he left, I pondered deeply, but no matter what, I couldn't imagine a better golden age for humanity than this. So, I studied diligently, vowing to pass the imperial examinations and become an official. One day, I wanted to personally build such a prosperous era to prove that I was right!"

Watching his childhood friend, Yu Lang's expression gradually grew serious. He had already guessed his friend's intentions.

"Until I learned that cultivators existed in this world, towering above mortals. All the efforts mortals made throughout their lives, for generations, a cultivator could erase with a single finger! The Great Dao of Humanity, it turns out, does not rest solely with mortals! Fortunately, there is still the Divine Path in this world, which can deter immortals and demons. Otherwise, if a few more great demon cultivators emerged who practiced demonic arts, sacrificing a city or even a nation at will, the mortal world would surely become a living hell. But gods and ghosts also merely view mortals as sources of incense offerings. My master said that the Divine Path values goodness, but human hearts can change, and not all gods in the world are benevolent. Some gods and ghosts, to gain more incense, will secretly instigate wars."

Tao Teng sighed deeply and sat down again. "I told my master about my wish from back then, begging him to allow me to descend the mountain and try just once. Regardless of success or failure, only then would my thoughts become clear, and I wouldn't mind delaying my cultivation. Of course, I won't be as naive as before. If I can implement policies in the Yan Kingdom that lead to good governance and prosperous people, I'll be content."

Hearing this, Yu Lang was deeply impressed by his childhood friend. He never expected him to go to such lengths.

"You chose the Crown Prince," Yu Lang said thoughtfully.

Tao Teng nodded: "Precisely. The Crown Prince is the legitimate heir; his nature is benevolent, his civil and military accomplishments are both superior, and he is sufficiently forbearing. A dragon can be big or small; when big, it can conjure clouds and mist, and when small, it can hide itself! I also secretly met with several other princes. The Second Prince has the most momentum, appearing wise and valiant, but he is autocratic and fond of scheming. He doesn't seem like a true ruler..."

Listening to Tao Teng evaluate the various princes, Yu Lang couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "I never imagined you would be willing to serve as a minister, submitting yourself beneath mortals."

The moment he uttered these words, Yu Lang was startled. The words had slipped out so naturally, so casually. Back then, his teacher was brutally killed by a cultivator's spirit beast, which left him heartbroken. At the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, he had once questioned: Are mortals destined to be mere fish on the chopping block? In just a few years, had he been subtly changed, now believing that cultivators should naturally be superior to mortals? No wonder his master said that the hardest part of cultivation was upholding one's original intention! Yu Lang almost broke out in a cold sweat from the shock.

"A monarch should embrace the world; it has nothing to do with cultivation!" Tao Teng didn't notice his friend's unusual reaction and said indifferently, "Mortals cannot cultivate immortals, but they can practice martial arts. As the saying goes, 'Once you master civil and military arts, sell them to the imperial family.' Among mortals, there are still innate masters who serve as generals and marshals in the army. Their martial power far surpasses that of emperors, yet they willingly serve as the king's aides. As long as it's an enlightened ruler, why should I not?"