Chapter 56 Weiyang Enters the Mortal World
As luck would have it, the golden figure landed on the instep of the Buddha statue with a bang, and was immediately bumped by the protruding stone edge and jumped up. After a few leaps, he reached halfway up the slope.
The Buddha statue seemed to be furious that someone dared to jump heavily on its feet. It angrily threw its sleeves and stood still, motionless.
The moment he saw the little golden figure clearly, Cang Ming's eyes suddenly widened. It was a young nun, her eyes a sight of worldly wisdom, all-seeing. She was dressed in a simple Taoist robe, and a faint glow like the morning light emanated from her body.
Cang Ming looked at it for a moment, then leaned back in shock: "Master?"
Even though ten years had passed, she would never make a mistake. That was Xuejie Weiyang, the deceased master of the Wangxian Sect.
Wei Yang turned her head abruptly, looked at him for a moment, and said in shock, "Cang Ming?"
The two of them screamed "Oh my God" and stumbled towards each other. Finally, they met at the foot of the mountain. They stopped at the same time and looked at each other with their necks stretched from a distance of two steps.
Not yet resigned: “?”
As if in a dream, Cang Ming reached out his hand and shook hands with his master. It was a real touch. Cang Ming suddenly woke up from the dream and asked, "Master, how come you are still alive?"
"I'm not dead," the master said, patting her hands. "In fact, I've ascended to become a celestial official."
Even Wei Ci was slightly surprised by these words. Cang Ming hugged his master tightly, thinking of the hardships he had endured over the years, and was overwhelmed with emotions, almost tears welling in his eyes: "Master, why didn't you tell me in your dream earlier!"
"Ah, it's a long story. I was already close to perfecting my virtues, and I happened to have made a Weiyang crown, so I was promoted to an immortal official. I was forbidden to show off, so I faked my death and retreated from the world, but in reality, I ascended to heaven." The master waved his hand calmly, pointing at the old ghost lotus that was staggering towards him. "What is this?"
Wei Ci took a step forward, blocking Cang Ming behind him, looking at Old Gui Lian with disdain and saying, "It's so ugly." Cang Ming softly introduced to his master, "This is the body of a dead demon, which was made into an evil creature."
"Monsters? Interesting, interesting." The Grandmaster casually plucked a long branch from the snow, swung a few sword flowers, and smiled at Cang Ming, "It's been years since I've killed monsters myself. Being a Grandmaster isn't fun at all. How about we fight monsters together today!"
Cang Ming also became interested and responded readily, "Okay!" Then he jumped out with his master, one in front and one behind. He guided the sword gesture with his hand and lightly wiped the ice blade with two fingers. He did not forget to turn back and remind Wei Ci, "I'll kill it in two strokes and then I'll come back. You keep an eye on the Buddha statue, Brother Wei Ci."
Wei Ci secretly made a hand gesture and said, "Be careful."
Wei Yang caught a glimpse of the Ice Blade Sword and asked in surprise, "Do you know the origin of this sword?"
Cang Ming had already stepped forward and stabbed the embroidered shoes on Old Guilian's feet with his sword. At the same time, he replied as if announcing good news: "Of course! Master, I remember everything. I taught you swordsmanship in my previous life!"
Old Guilian's calf bent forward at an odd angle, barely avoiding the sword tip, making Cang Ming's scalp tingle. The master held a branch in his hand, poking and stabbing, while attacking Old Guilian's paper, he said excitedly, "Exactly! Master, you finally remembered!"
Cang Ming kicked away the claws that Old Ghost Lotus extended and asked curiously, "Master, how come you seemed to have known that I would regain my memory?"
The Grandmaster swung a branch straight at Old Ghost Lotus, but he rolled away and dodged it. "Master, I secretly read a heavenly book in the Heavenly Palace, and it vaguely recorded your fate!"
"Master, how did you see it secretly? Weren't you caught?" The tip of Cang Ming's sword moved slightly, circling around a pair of red embroidered shoes, and tightly entangled Lao Guilian for a while, causing him to fall to the ground.
"Master, is this the point? Shouldn't you be asking something else?" The Grandmaster stabbed a branch into Old Ghost Lotus's paper skull, clapped his hands, and said, "Well, we've gotten some exercise today. It would be even better if it was more satisfying."
A hole was pierced through Old Guilian's paper lantern-like head. Wei Ci walked silently to Cang Ming's side and, with a wave of his hand, set Old Guilian's embroidered shoes on fire.
The flames shot up several feet high. Cang Ming folded his arms and said, "With three peerless masters here, we can finally control this rag doll, right?"
The snowy mountain suddenly rumbled and trembled, and the few people felt their feet suddenly empty. A blanket of snow fell rapidly from the peak, billowing white smoke like a sea of clouds. Wei Ci grabbed Cang Ming and lifted her into his arms. Cang Ming threw an ice blade, and the two of them jumped up, hugging each other. Wei Ci faced the direction of travel, controlling the route. Cang Ming was tightly embraced by him, her face buried in his chest.
The master's body flashed with golden light, and he flew up on a cloud of mist, shouting a warning: "It's an avalanche!"
The three of them hurriedly flew out of the mountain. As soon as Cang Ming raised his head, he was hit by the snow powder and his face hurt. He immediately complained with a bitter face: "What's going on? Master, is it because you are talking too loudly and shaking the snow down!"
The master retorted, "I think your fighting style is too fierce, Master. I've always told you not to be so impulsive and to be more graceful and elegant!"
"Hey, Master, you actually said I'm not good-looking. Why don't we have a dance battle!" Cang Ming quarreled with Wei Yang just like in his previous life. The long sword suddenly rose up and avoided another wave of snow.
At one point, Cang Ming suddenly saw the giant Buddha's foot pull out from the snow. Just as it was about to stomp on it, the snow on the foot fell off, revealing a huge blood-red embroidered shoe.
Then, a torrential snow engulfed everything. In the silver-white light, Wei Ci took Cang Ming through the teleportation tunnel and left this mysterious mountain range.
After the blinding light faded, Wei Ci's hand moved away from Cang Ming's eyes. The two of them were on a high platform, gazing up at the sky and overlooking the snowy plains. Below them stood various buildings, every brick and tile familiar. Cang Ming murmured, "This... is the Forgotten Immortal Platform!"
"Not bad." The Grandmother stepped on the clouds and slowly landed beside the two of them. This time, she finally had time to carefully examine Cang Ming from head to toe, then glanced at Wei Ci, nodded and commented, "Master, this person you found is quite clever."
Although he had a thousand questions in his mind, Cang Ming asked, "Master, since you can fly in the clouds, why did you fall down?"
The master said angrily, "What do you mean by falling down? How could I have foreseen there was a Buddha statue on the mountain? By the time I saw it clearly, it was almost to the ground. Of course, I couldn't stop!"
Cang Ming sighed and told Wei Ci everything: "During my last glimpse in the mountains, I saw that the Buddha statue was wearing embroidered shoes! The Buddha statue deliberately stomped its feet a few times to cause an avalanche. It turns out that it wasn't Old Ghost Lotus controlling the Buddha statue... but quite the opposite!"
Wei Ci's face darkened, and for the first time ever, he didn't answer Cang Ming. Cang Ming said thoughtfully, "There was a time when I was madly attracted to grand things. If I had heard of things like the Great Buddha, the Snow Sea, and the Immortal Officials back then, I would have been completely captivated. But now, I feel that even the most magnificent things often hold hidden mysteries."
"Master, you're right. What good is being an immortal official?" The Grandmaster sat cross-legged on the Forget Immortal Terrace, gazing out at the vast northern lands, and sighed, "I came down to the mortal world this time, and I had to sneak down."
“…”
The Grandmaster invited Cangming and Weici to sit down, and then conjured two jugs of fine wine from a tavern somewhere. Weici quietly lit a bonfire, dispelling the chill from Cangming's body. The three of them sat around the fire, drinking and chatting under the icy snow, while the Grandmaster described the journey to Weiyang.
Xuejie Weiyang crafted the Weiyang Crown, originally intended to subdue evil spirits and demons. The crown became the crown's crowning touch to the master's immeasurable merits, demonstrating his magical powers and talents far exceeding those of his peers. Not long after, the master received a secret decree from the Heavenly Court, exceptionally promoting him to the rank of immortal official. He then feigned his own death, leaving the crown in his tomb, for a future destined to claim it and bring peace to the world. The master himself ascended into the ranks of the immortals.
Cang Ming interrupted, "Master, the embroidered shoes just now are evil objects made by later generations to imitate your Weiyang Crown!"
"My Weiyang Crown is a magical weapon used by Taoists to catch ghosts. Wearing it on a demonic spirit tames it, forcing it to engage in menial labor like mining, farming, and smelting. Then the people of the world can live a carefree life, free from worrying about their livelihoods and focusing solely on romantic pursuits." The Grandmaster was overcome with grief, downing two cups in quick succession. "Who knew this would be rumored among the people as something that sucks human essence and drives the dead? Such bad luck."
Cang Ming was shocked and exchanged glances with Wei Ci. Wei Ci's gaze remained gloomy, as if Cang Ming was about to embark on a desperate path. Cang Ming poured a glass of wine and held it to his lips. He placed his hand on the back of Cang Ming's hand and slowly put the glass down, his face full of worry.
The master pretended not to notice the couple's trick and continued talking.
That day, Xuejie Weiyang ascended as a Martial God, but upon arriving in Heaven, she was quickly assigned to a civilian position. A few days later, she was also burdened with tasks like resolving sectarian disputes, running errands and delivering documents, and organizing the library. She was essentially juggling multiple duties, which was extremely tedious.
It was during his time sorting through ancient books that the master accidentally came across a heavenly book. This heavenly book recorded many heroes in heaven and on earth, including Cang Ming.
But the Heavenly Book is, after all, a heavenly book. Its language is extremely difficult to understand, and it often contains long blanks. The master pondered it for years, finally deducing its meaning. The book claims that the world has been in chaos for the past decade, the three realms have been in turmoil, and several terrifying villains will emerge. Whether these demons and monsters can rule the world depends on Cang Ming. The master seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, escaped from the Heavenly Palace, and secretly descended to the mortal world to help Cang Ming.
At this point, the world fell silent, with only the crackling of the fire. Cang Ming looked at his master with gratitude, but he only had a vague understanding of the records in the heavenly book. After pondering for a long time, he asked, "Why am I the key?"
The Grandmaster shook his head and said nothing. Wei Ci then spoke up, "General, have you ever considered that you can either destroy the demons or surrender to them? It all depends on your choice. If you can assist them, then no one in the world will be able to contend with them."
Grandmaster's eyes lit up: "That's right! If you, Master, become one of their generals, then these demons will be lawless from now on, living forever and ever, and even the gods will be powerless!"
Cang Ming suddenly understood everything. She looked at Wei Ci, and Wei Ci also looked at her sadly, obviously remembering the separation and death in the past life, and was afraid that she would fight in bloody battles again.
"A fortune teller once told me that destiny is nothing more than countless forked roads and countless possibilities." Cang Ming recalled Mrs. Li's words, feeling that everything happened by fate. "Which path you choose is just a matter of thought."
Wei Ci's voice was hoarse. "The Weiyang Crown is just a cover. The real intention of those idiots is to use the crown to stir up internal strife among the four major sects, take the opportunity to secretly slaughter all the disciples, and then put the blame on you."
"And then they'll use the Weiyang Crown to expose me, so they can persuade me to surrender... or get rid of me! Then, Old Ghost Lotus must be one of them." Cang Ming said dazedly, "Wei Ci, you guessed it a long time ago, right?"
Wei Ci hummed, lowered his eyes, and his thick eyelashes trembled slightly, as if his whole body would break if touched.
The Grand Master stood up, patted his robes a few times, and said wistfully, "You guys can chat. I should go back too. If I stay out for too long, I'll be discovered."
"Why are you leaving again after just arriving?" Cang Ming raised his head and asked in confusion, "Master, what is my ending in the Heavenly Book?"
The Grandmaster shook his head and said, "This heavenly book has no sequel. You could say that all ninety-nine chapters were written by fate, and one chapter remains for you to write."
"Then who wrote the Heavenly Book?" Cang Ming asked anxiously, "Should I ask him to write a better version of me?"
"..." The Grandmaster smiled. "That, I don't know either. The Heavenly Book has always existed. When the first priest ascended to the Heavenly Palace, the library has been in its current state. The priests are merely minions of the Heavenly Realm."
Cang Ming sighed and asked one last question: "Where is the real Weiyang Crown?"
The master looked at her high ponytail and said calmly, "Isn't the Weiyang Crown right on top of your head?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com