Looking at Zhou Quangang, Lanqin asked incredulously, "Daoist Master, were you injured and trapped here? Who is that sect leader outside?"
"He's a fake," Zhou Quangang said bitterly. "I've been trapped here for fifteen years. It's a pity I misjudged him back then, actually taking in two villains like Zhou Xingkun and Wang Xingbin!"
Lanqin looked at the old man in surprise, her mind replaying his words several times. Finally, she asked, "Daoist Master, are you saying that the one outside is a fake sect leader impersonating you, and that you are the real sect leader, Zhou Quangang? Then why was that Taoist priest so disrespectful to you?"
"This is the place of that traitorous disciple Wang Xingbin. The one who delivers the food is his confidant. He comes to harass me every day, saying that I have treated him unfairly, that I am a beast! It was only because his whole family was being chased that I saved him on the road. Not only is he ungrateful, but he also colludes with outsiders to harm his fellow disciples, betraying his master and ancestors." When Zhou Quangang spoke of his disciple, his eyes shone with a hatred that wished he could devour his flesh and break his bones.
Lanqin looked at Zhou Quangang's current state and realized how miserable he was, having been betrayed by his own apprentice.
After feeding him, Lanqin wiped his mouth with her sleeve as a sign of respect.
"Master, if I put you down, do you have a way to get out?" Lanqin asked.
"You? You can cut these chains?" Zhou Quangang sneered. "These are chains made of tungsten iron, which can't even be cut by ordinary swords. How can you save me?"
Lanqin looked at the chains on his body and said, "These chains have keys, right? There seems to be a lock over there."
"The key must be on that imposter," Zhou Quangang said.
"Daoist Master, tell me where the people your Quanzhen Sect will imprison? I want to rescue my master first, and then have him come and rescue you, Daoist Master?" Lanqin said.
"Who is your master, and why was he arrested and brought to the temple?" Zhou Quangang asked.
“Old Taoist priest, my master might be the one who can save you and set things right. But I cannot tell you his identity now,” Lan Qin said.
Zhou Quangang stared into Lanqin's eyes, as if trying to see if she was lying to him. He had been deceived by his own apprentice and ended up in this state, which made him no longer trust anyone easily.
“Daoist Master, I have no reason to lie to you. You are locked up here now, and if you can’t get out soon, you’ll probably die here. Just tell me how you can help me, and I will definitely do it,” Lanqin said.
“You’re right. I don’t have much time left. If I can’t get out soon, I’m afraid I’ll really die here,” Zhou Zhenggang said.
"Master, you just said that your third and fourth disciples harmed you. What about your eldest and second disciples?" Lanqin asked.
“They must have been deceived. Girl, after you go out, go find my second disciple first. He is the closest to me. Tell him that I am trapped here and ask him to find a way to rescue me,” Zhou Zhenggang said.
“Are you sure your second disciple will believe me? Even if I go to find him, he might not believe me. Daoist Master, you must tell me something that you and he both know. Only then will he believe me,” Lanqin said.
“Well, come here, I have something to tell you. Once the second brother hears it, he won’t have any doubts,” Zhou Zhenggang said.
Lanqin walked over to him and listened to him talk about his second apprentice, Zhou Xingchuan. Lanqin remembered everything. Zhou Zhenggang then told her about his eldest apprentice.
"I've remembered everything, senior, please rest assured. After I leave, I'll try to secretly find the Taoist priest's second disciple and tell him that you're trapped here," Lan Qin said.
“Hmm. Wait until it gets dark and everyone is asleep before you go out through the back door. I know a path that leads directly outside. Come closer,” the old Taoist priest Zhou Zhenggang said.
Lanqin then listened to what he said and wrote it down. Lanqin could only stay with the old Taoist priest in the dark basement until nightfall.
"Who are you? How did you get arrested?" the old Taoist priest asked.
"Master, we come from the capital. Actually, my grandfather and I wanted to visit your sect to find a highly accomplished monk so we could teach our grandfather. But after my grandfather and that Master Zhou Tianhao from the foot of the mountain went to Dumenpo, they were captured by your disciples and followers," Lanqin said.
"Dumenpo?" Zhou Zhenggang had been trapped here for nearly fifteen years and was somewhat unfamiliar with the places outside, but he clearly seemed to have some impression of this place.
“Yes, the villagers say there are vengeful spirits haunting the area!” Lanqin said.
"Nonsense. It's just a rock mine; how could there be any vengeful spirits there? Could it be that he has designs on that mine? Is he deliberately spreading rumors to prevent people from getting close?" Zhou Zhenggang said.
“What you say is very true, Daoist. It must be that my master and your grand-disciple discovered their secret, which is why they immediately sent people to capture them and take them up the mountain,” Lanqin said.
“Girl, it’s about time. Just do as we agreed beforehand. Remember, you have to go find the second brother first. He lives over at Taizipo,” the old Taoist priest said.
Lanqin sighed. Wulongtai and Taizipo were quite far apart. She figured she would have to walk there to finish her business before she could even get there.
"Master, I'll go first thing tomorrow morning. It's pitch black outside right now, how can I walk there?" Lanqin said.
“Alright, then you can stay with me, old Taoist. We can leave tomorrow before the sun comes up and before they all get up,” Zhou Zhenggang said.
So Lanqin huddled in that cold, dark underground cell, chatting all night with an old man whose collarbones were bound. She asked Zhou Zhenggang questions like whether immortal gods truly existed, and whether it was possible for humans to become immortals.
Zhou Zhenggang only said that becoming an immortal depends on a certain fate, and not everyone can become an immortal through cultivation. The Quanzhen Sect is just a branch of Taoism, emphasizing martial arts cultivation, while discussing scriptures and expounding on Tao is secondary.
Lanqin recounted Zhou Tiangang's actions while serving Emperor Kangxi to the old Taoist priest, naturally without revealing Kangxi's identity.
Zhou Zhenggang immediately denied Zhou Tiangang's actions, saying he had utterly disgraced the Quanzhen Sect. Lan Qin asked the old Taoist priest some more questions until they were both tired and went to sleep.
The next morning, the old Taoist priest woke Lanqin up and instructed her to leave the underground prison using the method he had taught her. As Lanqin stepped out, the morning chill felt like a knife piercing her skin.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
