Chapter 632 The Three Pure Ones' Face is Dragon and Tiger, the Hidden Lord is the Real Body of Yunmeng [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
"Yuan Yazi, what are you looking at?"
Zhang Shixiu turned around and asked.
Lu Ya withdrew his gaze and shook his head.
His face was expressionless, revealing no emotion.
The two walked one after the other on a winding mountain path paved with bluestone steps inside Snowwood Manor.
Not far ahead, a stern-faced Yue woman carrying a sword led the way.
Zhang Shixiu came from the Celestial Master lineage of Taiqing Longhu Mountain.
Since the Han Dynasty, the Celestial Master lineage has been in charge of Taoism in Jiangnan and presiding over the talismans of the Three Mountains. The Taiqing Longhu Mountain, where the Celestial Master's Mansion is located, is nominally the head of the Three Pure Ones Taoist sect. Taoist priests surnamed Zhang who come from the Celestial Master's Mansion are born wearing yellow and purple robes and are honored as noblemen of yellow and purple robes.
The Sanqing Taoist sect, though ostensibly three separate mountains, is in reality one, especially on major issues, where the ancestral halls of the three mountains share a unified stance.
And for any power, there's the concept of "face" and "substance."
"Face" can be understood as something glamorous and presentable, while "inner workings" are responsible for the less visible aspects. Generally speaking, the face presented to others needs to be polished clean, free of any dust, which is where the inner workings come in...
Taiqing Longhu Mountain is the face of the Sanqing Taoist sect, while the Celestial Master's Mansion is secluded and independent, high above all others;
Yuqing Pavilion on Zaoshan Mountain is an extension of this kind of facade, closer to the secular world. Backed by Taiqing and Shangqing Mountains, it receives pilgrims as if it were a business.
Shangqing and Maoshan, on the other hand, are responsible for the inner workings. Maoshan Taoists are few in number and low-key, but the proportion of Taoists with spiritual cultivation is higher than that of Taiqing and Yuqing. When something happens, they really step up and are the first to do so...
Regardless of whether the fact that Zhang Shixiu was sent by the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhu Mountain to deliver a message indicates that this young Taoist priest is an outstanding member of the younger generation of the Celestial Master's Mansion.
Just look at the present situation; Taiqing Longhu Mountain has sent people over to join the Taoists from Shangqing Maoshan.
This time, the Sanqing Taoist sect has put both its reputation and its substance to the test.
One can imagine how dire the current situation is in the eyes of the Three Mountains Ancestral Hall in the distance...
Zhang Shixiu followed Lu Ya's gaze.
Just as they passed by, they saw a little girl with her hair in a topknot squatting by a pond, playing in the water with a tree branch in her hand. A white sturgeon could be faintly seen circling in the water.
"Does Yuan Yazi know her?"
Lu Ya shook his head.
"Could it be that you miss your junior sister Yuan Xuanzi?"
Zhang Shixiu asked with a smile.
Although the two were about to pay their respects to the renowned and sword-wielding Grand Queen of Yunmeng, Zhang Shixiu did not show much nervousness. On the way up the mountain, he even had the mood to tease Lu Ya.
Lu Ya remained noncommittal, speaking in a measured tone:
"That girl is from Xunyang."
"Jiangzhou Xunyang? How did Junior Brother Yuan Yazi figure that out?"
"My master taught me a little about face reading. Also, the way that girl styled her hair was something my junior sister used to do; it's a local specialty from Xunyang."
"And you said you didn't miss Junior Sister Yuan Xuanzi?" Zhang Shixiu smiled.
He paused, then sighed:
"I heard from our senior master that Junior Sister Yuan Xuanzi has already reached the eighth rank. It hasn't been that long! How can we senior brothers from the Three Mountains bear this? She truly deserves to be the disciple chosen by Elder Yuan on his deathbed."
Lu Ya nodded: "You are indeed too slow." He then added: "So am I."
Zhang Shixiu wasn't annoyed: "Your junior sister is also our junior sister, we're family."
Lu Ya glanced at him again: "Junior Sister hates it when people try to get close to her."
Zhang Shixiu asked curiously, "Is Junior Sister Yuan Xuanzi so difficult to get along with? Aren't young girls usually quite attached to their senior brothers when they first come up the mountain?"
Lu Ya shook his head: "Junior Sister came from a poor family. She was sensible and independent at a young age, unlike other girls her age. She was like a little adult... When we meet again, Senior Brother Yuan Xiuzi will know."
Zhang Shixiu looked curious.
At present, the most talked-about topic among the Taoists in the Sanqing Taoist sect is the speed at which the newly entered junior sister of Shangqing Maoshan, whose Taoist name is "Yuan Xuanzi", breaks through her cultivation realm. Every once in a while, she makes a leap forward, which amazes and envies her fellow senior brothers and sisters.
Lu Ya suddenly said, "Actually, that's not necessarily true. Junior Sister isn't like that in front of everyone."
"What do you mean?" Zhang Shixiu became increasingly curious.
Lu Ya recalled the image of his junior sister, who, whenever he needed to send a letter to Xunyang, would stop all her cultivation and diligently write the letter by lamplight at night, oblivious to everything else...
Seeing that Lu Ya had a blank expression and didn't answer, Zhang Shixiu asked again:
Why didn't you bring your junior sister this time?
Zhang Shixiu turned around, squinting at the pavilion on the summit not far ahead, where a tall, blond figure could be vaguely seen waiting. He said:
"Her cultivation level is high enough, and she's also sensible. It's good for her to come out and gain some experience this time."
Lu Ya shook his head.
The young Taoist priest with facial paralysis lowered his eyelids slightly.
They didn't tell Zhang Shixiu that his junior sister and a certain little ink spirit might have been seen by the Grand Queen of Yunmeng when they were in Xunyang City...
Soon, the two ended their conversation and reached the summit.
Enter the Spring Garden Pavilion.
Xuezhongzhu and Yu Nianyuan were both there, one sitting and one standing.
Zhang Shixiu and Lu Ya composed themselves, presented their sect's gifts with great care, and exchanged a few pleasantries.
Without even glancing at the expensive gift on the table, Xuezhongzhu got straight to the point:
"Let's skip the formalities and the gifts. Second Junior Sister said that you agreed to accept the Yunmeng Token and obey the sect's orders. That's why I'm here to see you. I'll ask you one more time: do you Three Pure Ones regret this decision?"
Lu Ya glanced at Zhang Shixiu's back.
The difficult conditions imposed by the Queen of Yunmeng were unexpected for this trip.
The two men came under orders, not to mediate the fight, nor to get involved.
But when Zhang Shixiu heard the Empress's condition at the foot of the mountain, he immediately agreed.
Xue Zhongzhu and Yu Nianyuan could naturally tell who was in charge between the two, and their gazes fell on Zhang Shixiu's face.
A tall Yue woman entered the pavilion, indifferently presenting a bronze short sword with both hands.
Zhang Shixiu looked around and, without hesitation, took the first step and picked up the Yunmeng Token.
"I have said that I, Yuanxiuzi, am willing to accept the order," he said calmly.
Under the somewhat surprised gazes of the crowd, Zhang Shixiu said apologetically:
"But we still need Junior Brother Yuan Yazi to go back to the Celestial Master's Mansion to report and persuade our master."
Xuezhongzhu squinted: "What do you mean? Explain yourself."
Yu Nianyuan laughed as well: "You accepting the order alone doesn't mean the sect accepts it, right?"
Suddenly, sword energy emanated from the pavilion.
Outside the pavilion, on the pear tree, insect girls soared into the sky, circling and swirling above the pavilion.
The black Taoist robes and headscarves worn by Zhang Shixiu and Lu Ya fluttered in the wind, as if the mountain wind would destroy the pavilion and blow them away at any moment.
Xuezhongzhu gazed at the azure sky outside, ignoring them.
Standing behind Zhang Shixiu, Lu Ya's gaze fell on the snow-white longsword on the Great Female Ruler's lap. His usually expressionless face revealed a look of great alarm, and certain images resurfaced before his eyes.
Zhang Shixiu remained motionless, his smile unwavering, his words sincere:
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. It was truly a matter of urgency for me and Yuan Yazi to make this trip. Before we set off, the Ancestral Hall did not give us any instructions. Yuan Yazi had to go back and consult with the masters, explaining the situation to them with reason and emotion. This will take time, so please understand."
"However, before that, I can accept the order and follow the arrangements of the Great Queen."
Yu Nianyuan smiled and said, "You wouldn't take ten days or half a month to send a letter, would you? By then, it would be too late."
Zhang Shixiu turned to look at Lu Ya.
The latter immediately understood and lowered his eyes in agreement: "This humble Taoist will do his best to rush back and inform the Ancestral Hall, and bring the order back as soon as possible. Perhaps the three headmasters will also arrive together by then..."
Xuezhongzhu chuckled, but it was unclear what he was laughing at, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.
Zhang Shixiu's expression remained unchanged as he spoke earnestly:
"Besides, with this humble Taoist priest of the Celestial Master lineage as a hostage, does the Great Queen still not believe it?"
Yu Nianyuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "What hostage? It's as if our sect forced you Three Pure Ones."
Seeing that the atmosphere had eased slightly, Zhang Shixiu clasped his hands in greeting:
"Actually, I came here this time to convey a message from my elders, to plead with your clan not to harm the Xunyang Prince's Mansion in Jiangzhou. Everything else is negotiable."
"Do you Three Pure Ones value that Prince Xunyang so much?" Xue Zhongzhu tilted his head slightly.
Zhang Shixiu sighed: "We have some old friendships. As long as you agree to this, the Three Pure Ones will not obstruct your sect's actions this time. I can guarantee this. In addition, since I am staying here now, I will definitely do my best to cooperate with your sect."
"Aren't you afraid of offending Zhou Ting and the Empress?"
Zhang Shixiu lowered his eyes: "Didn't the Great Lady say that this is the greater good?"
Yu Nianyuan smiled faintly: "So helping the Xunyang Prince's Mansion is considered loyalty, right? It seems that you Three Pure Ones Taoists are not helping the current Great Zhou Dynasty, but rather betting on the Xunyang Prince, hoping to give him a helping hand and obtain a new purple robe bestowed upon you by the royal family in the future. Fellow Taoist Zhang Shixiu, you Three Pure Ones Taoists are truly loyal and righteous."
Zhang Shixiu couldn't help but take another look at the two ladies of Yunmeng. When their eyes met, he felt a vague sense of unease, as if his thoughts had been seen through.
"Your Excellency is too kind," he said, shaking his head without looking at her, concealing his apprehension.
Xue Zhongzhu stood up, flicked her sleeves, and the mountain wind outside the pavilion and the sword energy inside vanished without a trace. In the world, it seemed that only her elegant yet unfamiliar icy voice remained:
"Our sect has no enmity with the Xunyang Prince's Mansion. As long as their people don't stand in front of the Donglin Buddha, we naturally won't deliberately harm them. That's our bottom line. You can go and deliver the message. Also, I'm only guaranteeing that Yue Nu won't harm the Prince's Mansion. But if someone else makes a move and something really happens, don't try to smear me."
Zhang Shixiu hesitated for a moment, unable to think of a loophole, then nodded: "Deal."
"Second Junior Sister, serve the guests."
Xuezhongzhu uttered a single word and descended the mountain.
Zhang Shixiu suddenly shouted, "Your Majesty, sometimes the general trend of the world is difficult to reverse. We Qi cultivators should not confront it head-on."
Xuezhongzhu didn't stop walking, nor did he turn his head, but a resounding voice, as firm as metal and stone, rang out:
"The general trend of the world cannot be defied. There is a clear distinction between being weak and incompetent and surrendering on your knees. You three should take care of yourselves."
Zhang Shixiu and Lu Ya glanced sideways.
The crowd dispersed.
On the way down the mountain, Zhang Shixiu quietly pulled Lu Ya to a secluded spot.
"Senior Brother Yuan Xiuzi, shall I now return to the sect to report?"
"Why go back to the gate?" Zhang Shixiu shook his head: "Just send a letter informing me of the current situation. You have another important mission, so go to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion immediately."
Lu Ya's face hardened: "Should we call our senior uncles and aunts over to help guard the palace?"
Zhang Shixiu immediately shook his head:
"No, if the people of Yunmeng Jianze and Tiannan Jianghu see my sect's masters appear in Xunyang Wangfu, or even just in Xunyang City, they will be suspected of aiding the enemy. You tell me, if the Great Queen invites them, will the sect leaders help her destroy Buddhism or not?"
"It's a small matter if this harms me, but it will make the situation more complicated. Unless absolutely necessary, the Three Pure Ones cannot directly take sides. The sect leaders know this and will act accordingly..."
Lu Ya slowly nodded.
Zhang Shixiu said with a serious expression:
“But Junior Brother Lu, you can go. You are different. We are both juniors. You are using excuses to stay. Just because I accepted the Yunmeng Order doesn’t mean the Three Pure Ones will accept it.”
"Go to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion immediately and inform them that they should not interfere with the Donglin Buddha matter. Yunmeng Jianze has taken action this time, and the Luoyang court is powerless to stop him. The situation in Jiangzhou is not optimistic. The Prince's Mansion should try to avoid him and not try to stop him."
"Alright." Lu Ya hesitated, "Senior Brother Zhang, are you really going to stay and help?"
Zhang Shixiu pondered:
“That second lady certainly doesn’t trust me and won’t put me in an important position. Staying here will not only show my attitude and keep them in check, but also prevent the Three Pure Ones from being accused of betraying the great cause of the Southern Jianghu.”
"On the other hand, if they become hostile to the Prince's Mansion, I can still stop them and buy some time... Plus, you, Junior Brother, will be guarding the Prince's Mansion, so we can work together, one inside and one outside."
"Good idea."
Lu Ya hesitated again: "But wouldn't we be making this decision on our own? What if the Ancestral Hall..."
"Plans can't keep up with changes. Especially in the lead-up to a storm, in moments of rapid change, it's all the more important to make decisive decisions!"
Zhang Shixiu's eyes were resolute: "This time, I'm in charge. Remember to send the message back to the Ancestral Hall. I believe they will understand us."
“Good.” Lu Ya frowned and pondered for a moment, then glanced at Zhang Shixiu: “Senior Brother Zhang is indeed decisive in his actions, somewhat similar to that guy nicknamed Tanlang from the Xunyang Prince’s Mansion… No wonder he was sent down the mountain by the Celestial Master’s Mansion.”
"Tanlang?" Zhang Shixiu asked curiously, shaking his head slightly. He then suddenly called out to Lu Ya:
"By the way, did you deliver those two Transcendent Golden Pills from my Celestial Master's Mansion to Her Highness the Little Princess?"
"Um."
"Take this thunder talisman and give it to His Highness, just in case."
"good."
"I heard that the Crown Prince has already taken the talisman left by your master?"
"yes."
Zhang Shixiu counted on his fingers, lowered his eyes, and nodded: "That should be enough..."
Lu Ya took a purple talisman, put it in his sleeve, and prepared to leave.
"etc."
Zhang Shixiu took out a bronze short sword from his sleeve and looked down at it.
Lu Ya's gaze also fell on the sword.
Zhang Shixiu closed his eyes, and a faint crimson halo appeared on the back of his hand. The crimson halo flowed like water and slowly poured into the bronze short sword in his palm.
The Yunmeng Well remained still and unresponsive.
A moment later, Zhang Shixiu suddenly opened his eyes:
"This item is not simple. Be careful. It may involve a legendary formation recorded in the Ancestral Hall."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ya nodded emphatically.
The two looked at each other, their expressions solemn...
After Lu Ya left, Zhang Shi straightened his Taoist robe and followed a Yue woman to his place of rest.
Before descending the mountain, he glanced back at a dark shadow hovering and flying on the mountaintop.
It is said that a qualified force should have both face and substance. Yunmeng Sword Marsh originally had both face and substance, and a very strong substance at that, which once made the martial arts world tremble with fear... For example, there was once a female hidden ruler who had several female ruler-level Yue women as her sword protectors, making her almost invincible.
However, since the previous generation of female rulers suffered an upheaval, and now the Donglin Buddha has touched a nerve, it has actually been the eldest and second female rulers of Yunmeng who have personally intervened. It is possible that the noble Yue Chuzi will also have to step in.
This situation is no different from the Three Pure Ones Taoist sect being forced to step down this time, losing both face and substance; it's even more inappropriate.
They are all unsightly and undignified because there is no room for maneuver.
However, given how things have developed, the Donglin Buddha is now a matter of face for Empress Wei, and all parties must stand firm and not give an inch, leaving them with no other choice.
Thunderclouds gathered on the horizon. Zhang Shixiu gazed into the distance and murmured to himself:
"Unless another reclusive ruler of that caliber emerges and sweeps away the entire field, even if we win and destroy the Buddha, can Yunmeng Sword Swamp truly preserve its reputation after such a narrow victory? It will still be tainted... How could that empress of Luoyang bow down? If the two sides continue to escalate the battle, it might drag down the entire Tiannan Jianghu..."
Huang Zi, a Taoist priest from the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhu Mountain, sighed with a hint of worry in his eyes.
...
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(PS: Happy Qixi Festival! I'm all alone, so I'll spend it with my brothers. Waaah, please vote for me! or 2)
(End of this chapter)
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