Chapter 403: Three Distinguished Guests and the Virgin Mary’s Invitation
Xiufeng Temple is a Buddhist temple on Lingyan Mountain. It has quiet scenery and towering strange rocks, which is very interesting.
Gong Mengbi could see clearly that among the monks, big and small, in Xiufeng Temple, there were both monsters and ordinary people.
The Stone City King was, of course, the greatest demon. He wasn't the abbot, but he was even more powerful than the abbot. The abbot served him like that, trying to please him. It was unclear whether he was just like that on a daily basis, or just trying to coax him on his birthday.
Bai Xianglong sat down below Gong Mengbi and said, "These guests are all fellow Taoists from nearby. Some have received favors from King Shicheng, some have some friendship with him, or some are here to ask for favors because of King Shicheng's generosity."
Gong Mengbi glanced at them and then looked away. The Thunder Officer sneered and said, "These guests are quite a mixed bunch. Some are covered in scales and armor, some are covered in stench. There are hardly any decent people. And you brought the Immortal here to meet these people?"
The White Elephant Dragon said awkwardly, "King Shicheng is a Buddhist. He's always generous and kind, and he enjoys making good connections. Naturally, he has a wide circle of friends. But I brought the Immortal here not to speak with them, but for these three distinguished guests."
Gong Mengbi looked at the white elephant dragon with some interest.
Bai Xianglong then perked up and said, "One is the turtle official in the Taihu Water God Palace. This old turtle is very old and has a say in the Taihu God. In his early years, he was the prime minister of the Taihu God. When he got old and his mind became confused, he retired to enjoy his old age, but he still works in the palace."
Gong Mengbi added, "The one who sold you the craft beer?"
Bai Xianglong's face suddenly became hot, and he had no choice but to push the blame over and said, "It's him."
White Elephant Dragon changed the subject and said, "The second one is the envoy from Shangfang Mountain. King Shicheng is quite prestigious in Gusu and has a say in the Five-Directions Great God of Shangfang Mountain. Every year on his birthday, the Holy Mother of Shangfang Mountain sends an envoy to celebrate his birthday."
Gong Mengbi's heart was moved, but he pretended to think about it and said, "I have never heard of the name of the Holy Mother of Shangfang Mountain. I have only heard of the Five-Directions Goddess. It seems that she is very popular."
Bai Xianglong said, "Exactly! In Gusu, you don't have to know anyone else, but you must know the Five-Directions God. The Five-Directions God is Gusu's most powerful deity, with countless temples and abundant worship. He commands the many ghosts and gods in the Gusu area, and even the Taihu Lake God and the Gusu City God have to show him respect."
At this point, the White Elephant Dragon glanced around and whispered, "The Five Gods have countless soldiers under their command. Although the five gods have different personalities, none of them are easy to deal with. This brings us to the Holy Mother of Fangshan Mountain."
"The Holy Mother is the mother of the Five-Power Gods. Although her cultivation and abilities are not profound, the Five-Power Gods are always filial and never disobey their mothers. Therefore, if you offend the Five-Power Gods, it doesn't matter. As long as you can call upon the Holy Mother, there is room for reconciliation. Because of this, you can offend anyone but not the Holy Mother."
"Although the Holy Mother is extremely kindhearted, even if she doesn't want to pursue the matter, she will inevitably be blamed by the Five-Way God."
Gong Mengbi raised his eyebrows and said, "I see. Who is the last one?"
Bai Xianglong said, "The last one is from the Immortal's family, the Sword Immortal Su Shangxian of Yuquan Cave in Tianping Mountain. Su Shangxian specializes in the way of the sword, and is not of the same kind as us. He only has some friendship with the Stone City King, and we can occasionally see him at the Stone City King's place. But he is most likely not coming today."
Bai Xianglong looked at Gong Mengbi and said, "These are the people that Su Shangxian doesn't want to see."
Gong Mengbi narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured, "Shangxian Su...surname Su..."
Bai Xianglong didn't hear clearly what he said, and a look of confusion appeared on his face.
Gong Mengbi glanced at him, gave an ambiguous laugh, and said, "You are well-informed and know everything."
Bai Xianglong said, "No, no, it's just a favor from you fellow Taoists."
As he was speaking, five rays of divine light appeared, streaking across the night sky and approaching the Xiufeng Temple.
The King of Shicheng went to meet him and said, "It's the envoy from Shangfang Mountain. Please come in."
Five middle-aged men in brocade robes came forward, holding a brocade box. The leader said, "The Holy Mother congratulates King Shicheng on his birthday. This is the sacred ginseng given to the King by the Holy Mother."
King Shicheng opened the brocade box, and inside the box was a spiritual ginseng locked with a red rope. The spiritual ginseng was shaped like an old man, almost human-like. As soon as the box was opened, the rich medicinal fragrance attracted the guests in the room to raise their heads and tiptoe, wanting to take a few more breaths.
King Shicheng was startled and quickly closed the box, saying, "Thank you, Holy Mother. Please take a seat."
These five middle-aged men came together, their steps in unison. Although they looked and wore different clothes, their auras were connected, and although there were five of them, they seemed as if they were one.
The leader said, "Before we left, the Holy Mother said that you have profound Buddhist teachings. Please go to Shangfang Mountain when you have time to preach to our great god."
The King of Shicheng's expression changed slightly, and he said, "With my limited abilities, how dare I embarrass myself in front of the Great God Wutong?"
The five men stopped, and five pairs of eyes looked at the King of Shicheng, saying, "But since the Holy Mother has invited us, we must go."
The King of Shicheng said with a smile, "Of course. How could I not go if the Holy Mother is so kind to me? I haven't seen the Holy Mother for a long time, and I still miss her very much."
The five people then sat down.
King Shicheng was wearing a cassock and a monk's hat. The cassock was decorated with gold and silver threads and dotted with agate and coral. He had a kind appearance, and was as benevolent as the big Buddha in the temple.
King Shicheng raised his glass and said, "Thank you all for coming to my birthday banquet. I offer you a toast."
After a glass of wine, the atmosphere suddenly became lively.
The White Elephant Dragon raised his wine glass to toast King Shicheng and said some auspicious words, which made King Shicheng very happy.
As the wine glasses clinked together, the tight aura between the five gods gradually broke down, and the five of them became five gods, all of whom were mountain monsters.
The leader was a jackal. He stared at Gong Mengbi and asked, "Lord Shicheng, this fellow Taoist looks unfamiliar."
The King of Shicheng introduced them, saying, "This is the Immortal Jinting. He has only recently arrived in Gusu and is now settled in the Shenjing Palace. He is the master of West Dongting Mountain."
"The person behind him is..."
The Black Dragon snorted coldly and said, "I am the Thunder Collector."
King Shicheng's expression remained unchanged, and he had already conveyed the origin of the black dragon to the Five Gods.
Wuchangshen showed some surprise, looked at Gong Mengbi with admiration, toasted him frequently, and acted as if they had met too late. He introduced the power of Shangfang Mountain to him and invited Gong Mengbi to visit Shangfang Mountain.
Before Wuchang God opened his mouth, Gong Mengbi had already seen through their thoughts. They just wanted to recruit him for Wutong God.
But Gong Mengbi was not willing to go to Shangfang Mountain and keep a low profile. Just a few words led them astray and they didn't know where to go.
Halfway through the banquet, a dark cloud carrying moisture slowly approached.
King Shicheng put down his bowl and chopsticks and said with a smile, "This old man is finally here."
The water vapor dissipated, and an old man with a plump figure and droopy eyes appeared in Xiufeng Temple.
The King of Shicheng personally welcomed him and said, "Prime Minister Turtle has finally arrived."
Prime Minister Turtle sighed and said, "I'm old and my legs are not very convenient. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."
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