Chapter 45 Special Tutoring
“Of course we should pick them, but since the three of you have come to visit, you should at least meet the host and let him know.” Chang Hao wasn’t sure if he was being too polite or if the three of them hadn’t taken the matter of becoming apprentices to heart. “Besides, you have already become apprentices, and you are now of the same lineage as outsiders.”
The three Qings exchanged bewildered glances, never expecting Chang Hao to know about their 'master'. Now things were truly difficult for them.
With a plate of peaches in her left hand and a few cups of tea in her right, Yaochi walked with an imposing air. Although she was powerful, Yaochi was still reasonable and knew she couldn't act impulsively.
However, when she got closer, Yaochi was even angrier. Look what she had heard! The Three Pure Ones had all become Master's disciples, so what about her senior brother?
The master is so unfair. He was the senior brother who came first, so why didn't he accept him? How is the senior brother supposed to face himself in the future?
"Please wait a moment, gentlemen, while I go and inform them," Chang Hao said, not wanting to act like the host. "Yaochi, serve tea."
"Go ahead, young friend," Laozi straightened his sleeves, exuding a leisurely and carefree air of otherworldly elegance, which was most similar to Hongjun's. "No need to worry about my young friend Yaochi."
Chang Hao smiled broadly, as if a spring breeze was blowing on his face. With the Three Pure Ones here, Yaochi was the safest place, so how could he not feel at ease?
But what was Hongjun doing? With the arrival of the Three Pure Ones, Chang Hao couldn't believe that Hongjun was unaware of it.
Sure enough, Chang Hao went to the back hall, where the doors were wide open, and Hongjun sat on his cloud bed, his spirit wandering in the heavens.
"Hongjun..."
"Hmm?!" Hongjun narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly. "What's your name?"
"Alright, alright, Master Hongjun," Chang Hao laughed in exasperation, "Your legitimate disciple has arrived outside, why aren't you going out to greet him? What are you doing here?"
Hongjun glanced at Chang Hao. This Chang Hao was becoming more and more self-willed, and his audacity had grown. The pent-up anger he used to feel was rarely seen anymore.
"Isn't it you who's here? You've been treating us very well, so why should I have to make small talk?" Hongjun said casually, pondering why Chang Hao was becoming increasingly audacious. His disciple Tongtian was just as audacious, trespassing into Zixiao Palace. He was quite something.
"Whether you go or not, it's just a matter of one word," Chang Hao said, utterly speechless. "That's your disciple, not mine." That was his own disciple, unlike him, whom he had picked up casually and who was dispensable.
"No, then let's go see him." Hongjun only uttered half a sentence before turning back when he saw Chang Hao's incredulous look.
What's there to see? Oh well, Hongjun thought. Since they've already met, he might as well give them a little extra help. He figured the Three Pure Ones hadn't gained much by prioritizing the bigger picture.
Next, I will talk about the path of the Quasi-Saints. He is, after all, my own disciple. Why not talk about it in advance? It will also help to adjust the rhythm of the next sermon. It will be a win-win situation.
"Okay, get ready, I'll wait for you in the peach grove." Chang Hao turned and left.
...the Peach Grove...
Tongtian's eyes followed Chang Hao, and he felt that Chang Hao's every move and demeanor was the most pleasing to the eye. His mind was filled with questions: How did Fellow Daoist Chang Hao end up in Zixiao Palace?
Yuanshi glared at Tongtian, "Are you addicted to looking at him? Your eyes are practically glued to him." He was furious; having Tongtian around made every day feel like a training session.
"Hey Second Brother, can you please stop being so harsh? If I weren't so resilient, I might have developed inner demons by now," Tongtian complained. "Young friend Chang Hao and you look alike at first glance, but you're completely different. He's beautiful and kind-hearted, a wonderful person. Why can't you learn from him?" He couldn't resist teasing him at the end, his self-destructive spirit was truly strong.
Yuanshi was born with a solitary and noble face, a beauty rarely seen in the world. His personality and face complemented each other perfectly: upright and dignified, rigid and cold. He couldn't stand Tongtian's carefree attitude.
"What, you want to change your second brother? Do you want Chang Hao to be your second brother? Too bad, you don't have that kind of luck, you're stuck with a mean second brother like me."
The old man remained calm and collected, not even glancing at the corner of his eye. It was simply that his two younger brothers would bicker more or less whenever they met, and he was used to it. He couldn't manage it, so he decided to let them argue and enjoy the peace and quiet on the side.
"Come here. I could hear your arguing from afar. The Three Pure Ones must be of one mind to ensure that their fortune endures forever." Hongjun's voice came, and Yuanshi and Tongtian shut their mouths, but they did not forget to exchange a fierce glance.
'If we don't clear out those creatures that hatch from wet eggs and grow fur and horns when we get back, and restore the pristine beauty of the Eastern Kunlun Mountains, then they'll be sorry.'
Tongtian, not to be outdone, retorted, "Why don't you clear out your cranes? Are they not born from wet eggs, covered in feathers and horns?"
“Master…” Sanqing bowed and greeted him.
Hongjun looked at the Three Pure Ones before him, the three who would inherit his lineage, and nodded in satisfaction.
"What you have said in the main hall is general and extensive. I see that the three of you have all gained some understanding of alchemy, weapon crafting, formations, and swordsmanship. Now I will explain the path of quasi-saints to you in more detail, so that you can pass on my lineage in the future." Hongjun said as he began to speak.
He didn't even ask his disciples if they could understand, and just kept talking on and on. He really couldn't be considered a good teacher. Fortunately, the three Qing were all people with great comprehension.
Tongtian's smile froze. No, wait, he didn't want to continue listening to the sermon.
However, once Hongjun started speaking, he didn't want to stop. Tongtian tried to interrupt him several times, but no sound came out when he opened his mouth.
He could only resign himself to listening to the teachings, regretting that he shouldn't have followed Yuanshi and trespassed into Zixiao Palace.
Hongjun glanced at Tongtian seemingly unintentionally, saying, "Since you're already here, don't leave."
As for Chang Hao, he planned to sneak out with Yaochi as soon as Hongjun started lecturing.
Yaochi is still small. Why stay and suffer instead of leaving?
However, Hongjun used a freezing spell to keep them alive, and even though Yaochi's face was contorted in pain, she remained unmoved.
Chang Hao was anxious as he watched, but unfortunately, the sage's teachings entered directly into the mind and could not be blocked by any means. If Hongjun wanted to, he could easily change the path that Chang Hao was practicing on the spot.
The small classroom has continued for a thousand years. Preaching is addictive, and it is even more rewarding to teach disciples who understand things immediately. Hongjun stopped, still wanting to continue, and asked, "Any questions?"
"Are there only three ways to become a saint? Or are there only three, or do we only know three?" Chang Hao expressed his doubts. That Rahu sacrificed three races to the heavens and still became a saint, even though his methods were brutal and bloody, and he didn't care about the lives of others.
Hongjun pondered for a moment, then cautiously said, "I am only familiar with three methods, but there are three thousand Dao methods, and every one of them can lead to enlightenment." He had not delved into Rahu's method, knowing only what it was but not why it was so.
"Master, are there any drawbacks to the three methods of becoming a saint?" Yuanshi was always cautious.
"Pangu proved his Dao through force, with gains and losses. Those who prove their Dao through this method possess the strongest magical power. Severing the Three Corpses requires great perseverance, wisdom, and opportunity; it cannot be done without innate spiritual treasures, placing one in the middle in terms of strength. Achieving sainthood through merit requires immense merit, which cannot be obtained without great perseverance, wisdom, and opportunity, resulting in a weaker strength." Hongjun explained in detail, feeling a pang of regret. He had made a mistake in severing the Three Corpses, creating Rahu, and although he managed to stop the damage in time, he planned to start over and prove his Dao through force, only to be kicked into a pit again, seemingly unable to climb out.
As Hongjun began explaining the method of attaining enlightenment, Chang Hao unconsciously began twirling the fan in his hand. Suddenly, all his doubts were resolved. Staring at Hongjun speechlessly, he realized that Rahu was Hongjun's corpse.
Chang Hao hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped himself. Was it not enough that he had already stepped into the pit? Did he want to drag his personal disciple down with him?
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