"Control..."
The Golden Wheel Monk stopped his horse, and his many followers also stopped.
"Master, what's wrong?" At this moment, a plump monk in his early twenties with a simple and honest appearance rode up to the Golden Wheel Dharma King and asked. This man was none other than Darba.
The Golden Wheel Dharma King ignored Darba, who was watching the oxcart approaching him. Darba followed his master's gaze and also noticed the oxcart.
"A Taoist priest?" Darba asked in confusion.
Niu Er slowly walked to the front of the Mongolian group's horses and paused for a moment.
"Huff..." The green ox exhaled a heavy breath from its nose.
The dozen or so horses suddenly became chaotic and scattered in all directions. The Golden Wheel Monk and his companions hurriedly tightened the reins, but the horses continued to run away as if they had seen some terrifying creature.
Niu Er revealed a human-like disdain in his eyes and continued pulling the cart toward the city gate.
While holding the reins tightly, the Golden Wheel Dharma King gripped the horse's belly with his legs, glanced back at the oxcart, gritted his teeth, stepped on the stirrup, and leaped into the air.
"Please wait."
While still in mid-air, the Golden Wheel Monk shouted at Li Daoyi.
However, Li Daoyi did not react at all on the oxcart.
Upon seeing this, the Golden Wheel Dharma King ripped the golden wheel off his arm and swung it forcefully at the oxcart that had already traveled dozens of meters.
"Buzz..." The golden wheel spun rapidly as it flew past.
However, just as they were about to reach the oxcart, the golden wheel suddenly stopped, and the oxcart stopped as well.
"What?" The Golden Wheel Dharma King's eyes widened. He saw his golden wheel suspended in mid-air, as if someone had grabbed it.
Li Daoyi slowly turned around and stretched out his hand.
"Whoosh..."
The golden wheel swiftly flew into his hand.
"Hmm...it's actually made of gold," Li Daoyi said, looking at the golden wheel in his hand.
"Guo'er, take this, it's gold." With that, he casually handed the golden wheel to Yang Guo.
"Gold, really?" Yang Guo's eyes lit up. He took the golden wheel and put it in his mouth to bite down.
At this moment, the Golden Wheel Monk finally came to his senses, and in a flash, he appeared next to the oxcart.
"Master, I was rude just now."
Li Daoyi looked at the Golden Wheel Monk before him. His temples were bulging, and his whole body was full of explosive power. It seemed that he had already cultivated the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.
"Master, we've only just met, and you've already given me such a generous gift. Is there something you need?" Li Daoyi said with a half-smile.
Upon hearing this, Jinlun's face stiffened, but he still held back. The scene just now was too unbelievable, and he dared not make any rash moves.
"Are you a member of the Quanzhen Sect, Daoist Master?" Jinlun asked.
With such abilities and dressed as a Taoist priest, he couldn't think of any other force besides the Quanzhen Sect, the former number one sect in the Central Plains, that would have such a person, especially since this place was very close to Zhongnan Mountain.
“No.” Li Daoyi shook his head.
“Master, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving.” Li Daoyi said, gently patting the ox’s back.
Jinlun remained silent, only watching the oxcart depart thoughtfully, forgetting even to ask for his own golden wheel back.
After the oxcart had gone far away, the Mongols steadied their horses and returned to the side of the Golden Wheel Monk.
"Dalba, take your men and follow that oxcart. I'll come find you after I've met with the King of Jin," Jinlun said in a deep voice.
Darba looked at the oxcart ahead and then nodded.
At this time, Jingzhao Prefecture was still bustling with activity. It was hard to imagine that in just one year, it had almost been destroyed by war, and countless people had died in the chaos.
This time, instead of looking for an inn, the group went to the west of Jingzhao Prefecture, where there was a small Taoist temple, which was the stronghold of the Quanzhen Sect. Mu Nianci and Yang Kang had visited there before.
Before long, the group arrived at the entrance of the Taoist temple.
"Chunyang Temple," Li Daoyi read aloud, looking at the plaque at the entrance.
"More than ten years have passed, and nothing has changed here," Mu Nianci sighed.
At this moment, a Taoist priest sweeping the doorway noticed the group, picked up a broom and walked over. Upon seeing Li Daoyi's attire, he quickly and respectfully greeted them.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist."
"We have come from afar and originally planned to go to Zhongnan Mountain. We are passing through Jingzhao Prefecture and would like to rest here for a while," Li Daoyi said with a smile.
"Are you Xiaodouzi?" Mu Nianci suddenly called out from behind.
The young Taoist priest looked up in confusion and glanced behind Li Daoyi, immediately spotting Mu Nianci, who was wearing a veil.
Mu Nianci quickly removed her veil and stepped forward.
"Little Bean, do you remember me? I'm Mu Nianci, Sister Nianci."
The young Taoist priest suddenly opened his eyes and became excited.
"Sister Mu, you are Sister Mu."
"Yes, it's me, Little Bean. I haven't seen you grow this big in over ten years." Mu Nianci reached out and patted the little Taoist's head.
His face flushed red, but he did not flinch.
"You two know each other?" Dongfang Bubai asked.
“Yes, I stayed here for half a month back then. Xiaodouzi was only six or seven years old, still a child. He liked me very much,” Mu Nianci said quickly.
"Sister Mu, I have a name. My name is Wang Tong," the young Taoist priest said with a wry smile.
"Oh, right, what are you doing here? Didn't you go back to Zhongnan Mountain with Master Qiu back then?"
“Sister Mu, my master and I only arrived in Jingzhao Prefecture a few days ago,” Wang Tong said.
Mu Nianci was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Li Daoyi.
"Master Qiu is actually here," Mu Nianci said.
"Qiu Chuji? What a coincidence." Li Dao nodded.
"Oh dear, don't just stand there, Sister Mu! You don't know, Master has been talking about you all these years. Come on, let's go inside. He'll be so happy to see you!" Wang Tong said, slapping his forehead.
The group then untied the ox and, under Wang Tong's bewildered gaze, led it into the Taoist temple.
At this moment, Darba and his companions were watching this scene from a distance.
Chunyang Temple was not large. As soon as you entered, you could see several disciples meditating, about three or four of them. Li Daoyi released the ox, and the green ox stood obediently to the side.
"Don't worry, my cow is very well-behaved," Li Daoyi smiled.
Wang Tong smiled awkwardly but didn't say anything. He continued to lead the group inside, and soon they arrived at a building with the words "Sanqing Hall" written on it.
A Taoist priest with graying hair sat with his back to the crowd in front of the statues of the Three Pure Ones.
When Mu Nianci saw her old friends, she couldn't help but get teary-eyed.
"Tong'er, didn't I say that I wouldn't be receiving guests today?" Qiu Chuji spoke slowly, his back to the crowd.
"Master, it's Sister Mu, Sister Mu is here," Wang Tong said hurriedly.
Qiu Chuji's body trembled, and then he spun around.
His temples were slightly gray, his face was kind and approachable, and he wore a gray-blue Taoist robe with faint patterns embroidered on it. He held a whisk in his hand, and his eyes were bright and piercing, as if he could see through people's hearts.
“Nianci, it’s you, Nianci.” Qiu Chuji saw Mu Nianci at a glance, and a hint of excitement appeared on his usually calm face.
Mu Nianci rushed forward and knelt down on the ground with a thud.
"Mu Nianci greets the Daoist Master," Mu Nianci said excitedly.
"Okay, okay..."
Qiu Chuji nodded repeatedly.
"Guo'er, come here quickly and kowtow to Master Qiu." Mu Nianci called out as she turned around.
Yang Guo quickly stepped forward and knelt down as well.
"Yang Guo kowtowed to the Taoist priest."
Upon seeing Yang Guo, Qiu Chuji became even more agitated. He stood up and stepped forward to help the mother and son up.
"Yang Guo, Yang Guo, hahaha, you've grown up so much, good, good."
"Huh? You..." Suddenly, Qiu Chuji's expression changed, because he discovered that Yang Guo was actually dressed as a Taoist priest.
“Nianci, this…”
"Master, Guo'er has already become a disciple."
"Greetings, Brother Qiu." At this moment, Li Daoyi stepped forward.
Qiu Chuji quickly returned the greeting.
"Greetings." He then looked Li Daoyi up and down, becoming more and more astonished. He seemed to see the shadow of Wang Chongyang in Li Daoyi.
"Who are you, fellow Daoist?" Qiu Chuji asked.
"My name is Li Daoyi."
Qiu Chuji obviously hadn't heard of him either, as news of the events in Lin'an hadn't yet reached the capital.
Li Daoyi then told Qiu Chuji about his plan to visit Chongyang Palace. Qiu Chuji was very pleased and immediately said that the group could stay there for a few days and then return to Zhongnan Mountain with him.
When old friends meet again, they naturally have a lot to talk about. Mu Nianci stayed in the Sanqing Hall to talk with Qiu Chuji, while the others were taken to guest rooms by Wang Tong.
"Nianci, didn't you tell Guo'er about Yang Kang?"
"No, I don't know how to start." Mu Nianci lowered her head.
"Alas, it's all my fault, all my fault. If I hadn't pushed him so hard, he wouldn't have ended up like that back then," Qiu Chuji sighed.
"Daoist Master, it's not your fault. It's his own fault for lacking resolve. We misjudged him," Mu Nianci advised.
“But it’s not good to keep this a secret. I’ve seen how smart your son is. You’d better tell him as soon as possible. I’m sure he will understand,” Qiu Chuji said.
"Um."
"By the way, how do you know that Taoist Master Li? What is his background? Even I can't see through him," Qiu Chuji asked.
“Master Li is an immortal,” Mu Nianci said.
"..." The words left Qiu Chuji speechless, and he looked at Mu Nianci with a strange expression.
"Master Qiu, it's true. We arrived too quickly this time. At the earliest tomorrow, and at the latest the day after, news of what happened in Lin'an will reach the Jingzhao Prefecture. Then you'll know that I'm telling the truth," Mu Nianci said hurriedly.
"Lin'an? Song Ting, what happened there?" Qiu Chuji asked.
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