I actually pondered many times, what is Wu Ling's identity?
Zhen is really Ma Sanliu, a wandering mountain person who is staying here?
Looking at Wu Ling's understanding of the four-regions town, his knowledge of the surroundings, and his usual way of life, he appears more like a native of the town.
His attention to certain details gave me a sense that he was dissecting me.
Of course, I don't need to worry about him. It would have no danger to us.
Ma Sanliu is worth trusting.
Therefore, leaving Zhu Ying here, I also didn't fear.
After a while, when turning a corner on the town road, Wu Ling's gaze disappeared.
As I walked up the mountain path at the same time, Xie Ke talked to me and chatted, still showing respect without any reduction, but with a touch of curiosity. He probably asked me how old I was, looking younger than him by a few years. How could my Daoist skill be so exquisite?
I had thought that he hadn't seen the process, only the final result; that the remains of Wang Shi were gone, and the ghostly objects on him were shattered to the ground as well. That's why he attributed it to my Daoist skills and didn't associate it with a magical weapon.
However, before I could open my mouth, Xie Ke sighed: "Wang Shi was once a disciple of the mountain gate. Because he stole his teacher's magical instrument, inheritance, and even attempted to seduce his fellow female Daoist disciples, he was expelled from the mountain that day. He vowed that he would make the four-regions mountain regret it." Therefore, he stepped onto the path of evil.
"I was already on my way down the mountain when someone approached and challenged me, inadvertently revealing information about Wang Shi. That's why I took advantage of the opportunity to repair houses for the townspeople to inquire about the affairs of Yao Shicheng Village. I understand that it was a bait set by Wang Shi, and I also know the dangers within. So, I didn't go directly. Instead, I planned to figure out its true nature first before proceeding."
"The information I had gathered was not much when I heard people talking about a Daoist going to Yao Shicheng Village, so I hurried over immediately. That's when I just happened to see my ancestor trapped in the fiendish prison."
"As a disciple, my strength is not enough to force my way in. Within just a short while, the fiendish prison was actually broken……"
"Uncle, his Daoist skill is so exquisite and powerful, even exceeding ten Daoist gatherings. That bastard Wang Shi not only nourished ghosts with his body but also planned to capture us, the disciples of the four-regions mountain, as a calling card. It seems that he intends to knock on the door of Tian Shou Dao School entirely relying on Uncle's first move. If I had gone instead, I fear I would have become his bait and captured as a slave."
Xie Ke's words not only revealed Wang Shi's identity and background but also clarified what he had witnessed.
This made me gain a little understanding of the behavior patterns of Daoists.
In fact, Guan Juan, who supervised the Daoist School and Longfeng Daoist Temple, acted quite reserved and mild-mannered, somewhat similar to Xie Ke.
But the last time I met those two from the Liu family, the memory was so vivid that it created a fixed stereotype in my mind.
Impatient.
Firm.
In fact, not all Daoists are like that.
Only after a slight pause did I mention that I would be almost twenty in two and a half months.
Xie Ke suddenly stopped talking. His cheeks were beet red, extending down to his neck.
He was clearly someone who seemed outgoing and lively, yet suddenly he seemed to transform into an introverted, taciturn individual.
"Well, little brother, you say you are almost twenty, and what do you want to talk about with me?"
Suddenly, old Gong appeared on my shoulder, baring his teeth at Xie Ke.
Xie Ke's face turned pale from red, showing a look of shock.
"Old Gong." I frowned and stopped him with a stern warning.
In the next second, Xie Ke seemed to come back to his senses, blankly saying: "Yang God Ghost?"
That only made the difference more pronounced.
The four-regions mountain can at least take a glance at old Gong's background.
The two Daoists from the Liu family who saw ghosts would only shout "Ghost Niche"…
"What's this about Yang God Ghost? Call him Mr., don't be disrespectful." Old Gong bared his teeth and glared at Xie Ke.
Xie Ke only took a deep breath, and his gaze on me became even more respectful.
He bowed to old Gong with both hands and asked, "What is your honorable name, sir?"
"The name is a bit long, but on the road, people call me Xuandi Jinxiang Di Rushen." Old Gong was proud.
"Wu Zhongkuan, Wu Mr.?" Xie Ke looked extremely shocked.
"What's with the wide and narrow names, that hat name is so unlucky. Change it, call me Old Gong!"
Old Gong glared at Xie Ke again.
"Uh... Old Gong Mr., I am sorry for my impolite behavior."
Xie Ke showed utmost respect and performed a bow again.
I took a moment to steady myself, letting out a sigh of relief.
I had previously thought that it was a bit impulsive for Old Gong to appear directly, but in fact, showing it to Xie Ke first could potentially reduce many misunderstandings. Xie Ke would naturally report this matter to the other elders of the four-regions mountain.
The two men, engaged in conversation, were gradually walking very far away.
By the time Xie Ke suggested taking a break, we had reached halfway up the mountain.
Old Gong didn't disappear, he began to sit on my shoulder, and then landed on Xie Ke's shoulder.
Xie Ke was initially uncomfortable, but after Old Gong swayed and rattled a few words about the appearance of Xie Ke's face and the potential risk of having deep-seated demons if he pursued Daoism, Xie Ke immediately regarded him with the utmost respect, as if he were his teacher. He continuously asked Old Gong what he should pay attention to.
I had no idea Old Gong had such profound eyesight and skills.
He pointed out a few things to Xie Ke, which may not be helpful to me, but Xie Ke was overjoyed by them. He kept saying that his opportunity had come, and that he was grateful for meeting Uncle and Mr. Old Gong today.
Old Gong was indifferent, and he casually asked Xie Ke a few more questions about the number of female Daoist practitioners on the mountain and their level of cultivation.
I: "……"
This may be the reason why Old Gong is willing to point out some things to Xie Ke.
Old Gong can't do without women wherever he goes. His nature remains unchanged.
Xie Ke was quite talkative and said that there were about one-tenth of the normal disciples who were female Daoists, around forty to fifty in number.
Xie Ke showed slight doubt and asked, "What is the reason why Mr. Old Gong asked about this?"
Old Gong coughed and then said, "What else could it be? Si Yan is a Daoist practitioner among female Daoist practitioners. What level is she at? We are also old friends."
"Mr. Old Gong, do you know Senior Sister Si Yan?" This time, Xie Ke seemed even more excited.
I became the person who couldn't fit into the conversation.
It wasn't until dawn that Old Gong disappeared.
Their conversation had uncovered quite a bit of information about the four-regions mountain.
Even about the events involving Si Yan……
She has returned to the four-regions mountain.
I couldn't help but think about Han Qu's ghost. Had it also been brought back?
Han Qu died young and became a ghost. Although his strength was not strong enough, he was one of my few friends.
His righteousness is something worth admiration!
It was around ten o'clock in the morning when we finally arrived at the gate of the four-regions mountain.
The majestic mountain gate presented a square framework shape.
Above, a large plaque hangs, which reads "All Goodness Ascends to Pure Jade."
The left vertical plaque reads: "Eighty-one Vows, One Thousand Two Hundred Virtues, Enter the Heavenly Cavity."
The right vertical plaque reads: "Two hundred and thirty vows, two thousand virtues, ascend to the celestial officer!"
In the center of the mountain gate, there is a large stone that has been polished to be as smooth as a mirror. There are fresh red characters on it.
"The Daoist Observatory of the Four-Regions Mountain!"
Behind the mountain gate and the stone tablet is the vast practice ground, and a towering Taoist pavilion that leans against the cliff face of the mountain.
Suddenly, two rows of Daoists walked out from behind that large stone.
One row was mostly elderly, almost all wearing red Zhanyi robes. The other row was younger, with the leading figure being someone I recognized from memory.
Sun Zhuo!
