Back in the quaint inn in Huayang County, Chengdu Prefecture, Deputy Commander Yu beamed with joy, as if he had won the lottery, and walked briskly to the old Taoist's room. As soon as he entered, his booming voice rang out: "Master Yi, this time we all owe you a debt of gratitude! You've truly done a great service! Commander Liu specifically instructed me to convey his deepest thanks to you. Look, here's a hundred silver dollars as a reward for you." He handed over the silver dollars and then pulled a warm, lustrous Hetian jade pendant from his pocket. "I must also thank you; please accept this jade pendant." The old Taoist quickly stood up, his eyes filled with delight, and accepted the heavy silver dollars and jade pendant with both hands, thanking him repeatedly, his white beard trembling slightly with excitement.
The next day, sunlight streamed into the inn's courtyard. The old Taoist packed his belongings and bid farewell to Deputy Commander Yu and the others. His figure gradually disappeared into the distance, heading towards the Taoist temple on Mount Qingcheng. On the way back, the old Taoist fell into deep thought, the image of the temple constantly appearing in his mind. That temple, bearing the marks of hundreds of years of wind and rain, resembled an old man in his twilight years. The walls were mottled, the beams rotten, and everything exuded a sense of decay. He remembered that decades ago, his master, the old Taoist Yunjizi, had mentioned that repairing the entire temple would cost ten thousand taels of silver. Now, with soaring prices and changing times, it would probably cost tens of thousands of silver dollars. Repairing the temple was his master's last wish, and also his own dream! Nearly sixty years of his life were there; every inch of land, every brick and stone was etched with his memories. How could he stand by and watch the temple continue to fall into ruin?
Master Yi returned to the Taoist temple and solemnly summoned his eldest disciple, Yun Yi. He slowly said, "Disciple, you have been in this temple for over ten years. You have already made some progress in Taoist scriptures and techniques, and your lightness skill of 'leaving leaves without a trace' has reached a level of perfection. Now the world is in chaos, and the people are displaced and suffering terribly. I want you to take your two junior brothers, Yun Jiu and Yun Shiliu, down the mountain to seek opportunities. If you find such opportunities, you can return to rebuild the temple in the future."
Although Yun Jiu and Yun Shiliu were only sixteen years old, they practiced the fierce Taoist martial arts. With a single swing of their Bagua Palm, they could split even a blue stone. The two of them were as strong as oxen.
A few days later, Yun Yi reluctantly left the mountain with his two junior brothers, carrying the hundred silver dollars given to him by their master, and stepped into the chaotic world.
Time flies like an arrow. One day, Yun Shiba rushed over to report, "Master, there's a man at the mountain gate who says he's your junior brother, Partridge Whistle, and wants to see you." The old Daoist was startled, thinking to himself, "Why is he here? We haven't seen each other for over ten years." Partridge Whistle was Master Yun Jizi's junior brother, an outer disciple of Elder Liaochen, from a foreign tribe in the Western Regions. He had practiced martial arts since childhood, and his Daoist skills were exceptional. The old Daoist vividly remembered the few days the two had spent together at the Daoist temple. Partridge Whistle was dressed in black, his movements agile, like a leopard in the night. The Vajra Umbrella on his back gleamed coldly, and the two German-made Mauser pistols at his waist added to his imposing presence.
Upon seeing the old Taoist priest, Partridge Whistle greeted him cheerfully, "Senior Brother, how have you been! It's been over a decade since we last met, since Master passed away." The old Taoist priest looked at him and asked, "Junior Brother, what brings you here?" A resolute glint flashed in Partridge Whistle's eyes: "Over a decade ago, Master, the Mountain-Moving Taoist, tragically perished at the tomb of King Xian. His dying words were that I should not wander the martial world alone, but rather work with you, Senior Brother, to carry forward the Taoist sect. I know you are determined to rebuild the Taoist temple, so I've come to ask you to come out of seclusion and help me open the tomb of King Xian. The treasures inside are priceless, and I'm willing to give you half to help you rebuild the temple." Upon hearing this, the old Taoist priest was deeply moved.
Master Yi's expression was solemn, his eyes filled with regret: "Junior brother, I am also heartbroken that our Uncle has passed away in Yunnan. You and Uncle grew up together and had a deep friendship. I know you wanted to fulfill his last wish. But I am old now, and these old bones can't withstand the hardships of climbing mountains and wading through rivers. I can also feel that I don't have much time left."
As he spoke, he looked at the disciples standing to the side and said slowly, "This time, I'm sending Yun Er, Yun San, and Yun Shi down the mountain with you. Yun Er has acquired fifty percent of my skills; his observational abilities and sixth sense are extremely strong. No animal within twenty or thirty meters can escape his senses. As for Yun San, he is quite accomplished in Taoist medicine, treating illnesses and saving lives is a piece of cake for him, and he can also refine elixirs that make one immune to all poisons, ensuring your safety in critical moments. Yun Shi is even more formidable; flying flowers and leaves are like sharp weapons in his hands. With his willow leaf throwing knife, he can easily take a life from a hundred paces away."
Upon hearing this, Partridge Whistle was overjoyed and quickly clasped his hands in a salute: "Senior brother, thank you for your kindness! Rest assured, once I have fulfilled my uncle's last wish, I will definitely return to help you rebuild the Taoist temple and restore its former glory!" After saying this, his eyes were full of determination and gratitude.
The next day, Partridge Whistle led his three disciples down the mountain, their figures gradually disappearing into the vast expanse below. Old Daoist Yi stood atop the mountain, his gaze fixed intently on the scene, his brow furrowed, a cloud of unease washing over him like waves of anxiety. He sighed heavily, a sigh that seemed to emanate from the depths of his soul: "Alas, what is meant to be will be. It's all fate." His gaze drifted into the distance, his thoughts returning to decades ago, to Elder Liaochen's thrilling treasure hunt in the ancient city of Kunlun in the Western Regions. There, he had rescued a child. Who could have imagined that the child would grow into such a magnificent figure, a member of the Zaglama tribe, a descendant of the legendary Queen Jingjue of the Western Regions?
Months passed by peacefully, and life at the Taoist temple on the mountain remained tranquil. One day, the old Taoist went down the mountain to buy supplies. The market was bustling with people. As he walked, he suddenly heard a shout: "Master Yi!" The old Taoist turned around and saw it was a company commander surnamed Li, a subordinate of Deputy Regiment Commander Yu. Company Commander Li, beaming, rushed forward: "Master Yi, my commander has been saying he'll be coming up the mountain to see you in a few days. Please wait here a moment, I'll go and fetch him." The old Taoist was puzzled, wondering what it was about. About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a man strode over. It was none other than Deputy Regiment Commander Yu—no, he was now the commander. He greeted the old Taoist warmly: "Master, long time no see! I have a truly great opportunity to ask for your help!" His eyes gleamed mysteriously.
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