The Immortal Master on Erxian Mountain
The incident involving Song Jiang was like a huge rock thrown into Liangshan Lake. The ripples it caused had not yet subsided, but Gongsun Sheng suddenly asked me to take me away from Liangshan for a few days and return to Zixu Temple on Erxian Mountain.
"Why are you leaving so suddenly?" I was a little surprised. Liangshan was in a turbulent time right now, Song Jiang hadn't been rescued yet, and internal undercurrents were surging. His decision to leave at this moment was definitely not without purpose.
Gongsun Sheng's expression was calm, but his tone held a hint of solemnity that left no room for doubt. "You've been cultivating with me for some time now, and your foundation is gradually becoming solid. However, your existence is ultimately an anomaly. I must bring you to my master, and he will... make the final decision."
Meet Master Luo!
My heart skipped a beat! The Lord of Erxian Mountain, who, in the original novel, was so profoundly versed in Taoism and could see the past and the future! Was Gongsun Sheng taking me to see him to thoroughly understand my origins? Or... to decide whether I should stay or go?
A surge of nervousness instantly gripped me. In front of a figure like Master Luo, could my excuses of "dreams" and "perceptions" hold up? Would he simply wipe out this "outer demon" of mine?
"Master..." My voice was a little dry, "Master Luo...how will he deal with me?"
Gongsun Sheng saw the barely concealed fear in my eyes and was silent for a moment before saying, "Master is very perceptive and compassionate. Although you are an anomaly, you have never done evil. Instead, you have repeatedly helped me and Liangshan overcome dangers. This trip is both an opportunity and a test. If we are honest with each other, there may be a glimmer of hope."
Be honest? Do you want me to reveal the truth about being a time traveler? Would that be considered an even greater heresy?
But now that things have come to this, I have no way out. Since Gongsun Sheng proposed this, there must be a deeper meaning behind it. If it's a blessing, there's no disaster. If it's a disaster, there's no way to avoid it.
"I understand." I took a deep breath and suppressed the fear in my heart. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
This return to Erxian Mountain was different from the last time I fled Yuncheng in a panic, or the last time I went to Liangshan with such determination. I felt particularly heavy-hearted, as if I wasn't returning home, but rather heading to a trial that would determine my fate.
We still disguised ourselves as wandering Taoist priests and musicians, quietly descending the mountain and crossing the river by boat. Along the way, Gongsun Sheng spoke even less than usual, spending most of his time with his eyes closed, as if trying to adjust his state of mind or perhaps contemplate something.
A few days later, the familiar Erxian Mountain came into view again. Shrouded in mist, lush green pines and cypresses, Zixu Temple stood quietly on the mountainside, as if time had not passed here.
The little Taoist boy Qingsong was overjoyed to see us return, and especially to see me, calling me "Sister Bu" affectionately. The child's innocence temporarily dispelled the gloom in my heart.
However, just as we were settling in, Gongsun Sheng said to me, "Follow me, the master wants to see you."
What is coming will eventually come.
I followed him, crossing the familiar courtyard and heading towards a secluded courtyard deep within the temple, a place I had never entered before. The closer we got, the stronger the invisible, soul-cleansing, pure Taoist charm became, and I couldn't help but hold my breath.
The courtyard gate opened by itself without wind.
Inside the courtyard, beneath an ancient pine tree with twisted branches, an old man with white hair and a youthful face, dressed in purple Taoist robes, sat cross-legged on a cushion. His face was gaunt, his eyes warm, as if containing the vast ocean of stars. He sat there calmly, yet seemed to merge with the entire universe, inspiring both awe and a strange sense of peace.
It was Master Luo.
"Master, I'm back." Gongsun Sheng stepped forward and saluted respectfully.
"Junior Bu Luanyin pays homage to Master Luo." I also quickly followed suit and bowed deeply, my heart beating like a drum.
Master Luo slowly opened his eyes. His gaze, like the warm sun, like a mirror that could illuminate the depths of the underworld, fell upon me. In that instant, I felt as if all my secrets, inside and out, had been revealed, as if I had been seen through and through.
"A soul from another world, ripples beyond the heavens..." Master Luo spoke, his voice calm, yet resounding like a mighty bell, resounding directly into the depths of my soul. "Little girl, I already know your origins."
He knew! He saw through me at first sight!
My whole body froze, cold sweat instantly soaking my back, and I could barely stand. It was over…
However, the expected wrath of thunder did not come.
Master Luo continued slowly, "The Way of Heaven operates on its own course. However, of the fifty Great Ways, forty-nine are derived from Heaven, and man escapes only one. This 'one' of yours is a variable, an unexpected event, but it may also be a glimmer of hope."
What did he mean by that? I jerked my head up, looking at him in disbelief.
Luo Zhenren's gaze remained gentle, filled with all-seeing wisdom. "I too feel what you think, what you do in this world. You harbor good intentions, and have not relied on your knowledge to commit murder. Instead, you have repeatedly helped Sheng'er resolve disasters. This is your good karma."
He called Gongsun Sheng "Sheng'er"? His tone was filled with the kindness of an elder. My nervousness eased a little.
"Of course, an anomaly is still an anomaly." Master Luo changed the subject. Although his tone didn't turn cold, it made my heart rise again. "Your karmic entanglement with Sheng'er has deepened, disturbing the trajectory of his destiny. For those who practice Taoism, the most important thing is to have a flawless state of mind and an unobstructed path. Your existence is both a blessing and a calamity for him."
Love tribulation! He pointed it out directly!
My cheeks flushed slightly, and I subconsciously glanced at Gongsun Sheng beside me. He stood there with his eyes lowered, his expression calm, as if the person whose fate Luo Zhen had mentioned was not him.
"Please tell me, Master, how should I deal with this?" I asked, my voice trembling. Should I go? Should I stay? Or...
Master Luo did not answer directly, but turned his gaze to Gongsun Sheng: "Sheng'er, what do you think?"
Gongsun Sheng raised his head and looked at his master, his eyes clear and firm. "Master, although Bu Luanyin is an anomaly, she has a kind heart and can be helpful to me... I am willing to shoulder the responsibility of this cause and effect and guide her onto the right path."
He... was he pleading for me? Was he even willing to bear the consequences of my actions?
I stared at his handsome profile, my heart filled with turbulent waves. An indescribable sourness and warmth intertwined together, almost making me cry.
Master Luo looked at his disciple quietly for a long moment before he sighed softly, "Foolish child. Love is difficult, and the path to immortality is bumpy. Now that you've made your choice, you must stay true to your heart and not lose yourself in it."
Did he acquiesce to the relationship between Gongsun Sheng and me?!
I could hardly believe my ears.
"Thank you, Master." Gongsun Sheng bowed again.
Master Luo turned his gaze towards me again, raised his hand and pointed, and a warm, clear light instantly sank into my brow. "This is the 'Spiritual Platform Purification Mantra,' which can help you stabilize your spirit and soul, purify the karmic entanglements brought by the soul from another world, and make you more compatible with this world. I hope you will practice diligently, enlighten your mind and see your true nature. Don't let Sheng'er down, and don't make mistakes and fall into demonic obstacles."
A cool, vast aura spread through my sea of consciousness, as if cleansing the stagnation and alienation deep within my soul, making my connection with the world closer and more natural. I knew this was the amulet and... warning given to me by Master Luo.
"I will keep the teachings of the Taoist Priest in mind! I will practice diligently and never let down the Taoist Priest's care and protection!" I bowed down again excitedly, this time with sincere gratitude.
"Go." Master Luo waved his hand and closed his eyes again, as if he was in a trance.
Gongsun Sheng and I quietly left the courtyard.
It was not until I had walked a long way that I felt as if I had woken up from a big dream. My back was soaked with cold sweat, but my heart was filled with gratitude for surviving the disaster and an indescribable sense of relief.
Instead of killing me, Master Luo acknowledged my existence and even passed down his skills to me! This means that my biggest hidden danger—my identity crisis—has been temporarily resolved!
"Master..." I looked at the silent Gongsun Sheng beside me, a thousand words choking my chest, but I didn't know where to begin. Was it because of his protection just now? Or was it for this hard-earned "legal status"?
Gongsun Sheng paused and turned to look at me. The afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the pine needles onto him, illuminating his otherwise cool demeanor with a warm hue.
"Since Master has agreed, you can stay here without worry." His voice remained calm, but something seemed to be melting quietly in his deep eyes. "From now on, just focus on your cultivation."
He didn't say much, but I understood a lot from his brief words and the softened look in his eyes.
The biggest obstacle has been cleared. Before the Immortal Master, the love tribulation is set.
I knew that from this moment on, the relationship between Gongsun Sheng and I would enter a new phase. The thin ice between "anomaly" and "regulation" had shattered.
What remains is the true love entanglement between you and me.
This road to love and immortality is not destined to be smooth, but at least at this moment, my heart is filled with unprecedented hope and courage.
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