Even though I have speculated about the relationship between Wu and Mao, and even speculated that Mao Youzhi was a teacher of Wu, I never expected that he actually wanted Wu to learn Taoist techniques.
Indeed, Wu Ling's background fits well with this inheritance.
However, as Mao You San said.
There is a predetermined number in everything.
As if the old Qin had planned that after I got the Yang Sheng Mian, I would become a Yin and Yang Master.
So what? It's like I stumbled into it, becoming a Taoist at Sigu Mountain.
After chatting with Mao Youzhi for a few more words, I learned that Wu Ling has connections with the common disciples of Sigan Mountain, and many pieces of information can be obtained. On one side are divination symbols, and on the other side are messages. It is only then that he became familiar with me.
Finally, he told me not to hate Wu Ling. This incident is insignificant. At that time, when I returned to Jin Yang and met Wu Ling again, the two of us might even become brothers-in-law.
I said it was no problem, that I wouldn't hold a grudge for such a trivial matter.
Then I asked Mao Youzhi, "Who exactly was the one who killed Sun Zhuo?"
Mao Youzhi explained frankly that there is a deceased master on Sigu Mountain, the tomb of the ancestor, as well as the graves of ordinary Taoists.
Some Taoists do not die of old age but are in the process of "martial disintegration." Martial disintegration, aside from using a treasured sword for self-disintegration, also involves other methods that do not cause immediate death but rather lead to a state of apparent death.
This state of apparent death can last for as little as three to five years, or even as long as thirty or thirty-five years.
The Sigu Mingjing can make it respond and be triggered.
Of course, once the martially disintegrated Taoist is triggered, it's just a matter of that one last breath. After it's used up, they immediately become a pile of bones.
My heart trembled slightly.
This martial disintegration has so many different explanations?
The phone hung up. This incident was just a minor detour.
Of course, before the end, Mao Youzhi still reminded me that he would send Wu Ling to Jin Yang. However, he asked me to be more vigilant and not let any outsiders enter or leave Sigan Mountain in the coming days.
I left Wu Ling's house and began my journey up the mountain path.
The conversation with Han Chui didn't take long, but Wu Ling had caused quite a delay. It was just as I had said to He Youtian earlier: it took me two and a half days to return to the gates of Sigu Mountain.
There were many Taoists standing in front of the mountain gate, patrolling, which was completely different from usual.
Among them, there was a familiar face, which was Xiang Ke.
He hurried over to me, his face full of respect.
"The young master-sister has returned, please let him into the inner premises."
The rest of the Taoists, upon seeing me, greeted me in a formal manner.
I casually asked Xiang Ke, "Why is the mountain gate so strictly guarded?"
Xiang Ke only told me that it was an order from the Grandmaster. In fact, since I went down the mountain yesterday, no non-disciples of the mountain can enter. Even those responsible for logistics, who are common disciples, cannot enter.
I slightly understood, Mao Youzhi had reminded me as well. Little did I know that He Youtian was faster.
Suddenly, a Taoist hurriedly walked into the mountain gate, and his figure quickly disappeared.
Xiang Ke pulled me and stepped back, then whispered in a low voice, "The True Lord has left the mountain. The Hall of Spirits is currently giving instructions, and many disciples are listening. It's been over half a day now. The Grandmaster is there. He instructed me to let you go to the Hall of Spirits immediately to wait for the ceremony. That previous Taoist was from the True Lord's faction."
I nodded and said, "Okay."
Before, Sun Zhuo had extended an olive branch to me, inviting me to listen to Zheng Ren's teachings, but I had not agreed.
I didn't expect that Zheng Ren had transformed this teaching from a single person, Sun Zhuo, into the instruction of numerous disciples across Sigan Mountain.
However, his intentions were obvious to everyone, and he believed that since He Youtian dared not directly expose him for killing the teacher, as long as he restrained more of his disciples, he would have more control over He Youtian.
In fact, he was about to reap the consequences of his actions.
After leaving the mountain gate, I went straight to the Hall of Spirits.
When I arrived at the Hall of Spirits, the main gate of the Daoist hall was wide open, and the tatami mats inside were filled with Taoists.
There were at least fifty people, including some elder disciples that I had met, and even... some elders!
Sun Zhuo was among the group of elders.
Of course, the foremost figure was Zheng Ren!
Zheng Ren was still wearing a veil, hiding his facial features.
The voices inside the Daoist hall were very small, and from a distance, one couldn't hear any sounds inside.
I saw He Youtian, Seven Elder, and two other elders.
My heart sank slightly.
I clearly remembered that at the time, Zheng Ren had called Three Elder, Seven Elder, Eight Elder, and Eleven Elder to follow him to the Hall of Spirits.
This indicates that Zheng Ren's supporters are few. There are a total of thirteen elders in Sigu Mountain. Most of them tend to support He Youtian.
But the scene in front of me, everything, seemed to have turned around.
No, before that, including Zheng Ren, there were only five people.
Now including He Youtian, there are only four people on this side.
A full nine people going to listen to Zheng Ren's teachings!
"Big Brother, Seven Elder." I first paid respects to He Youtian and Seven Elder.
Looking at the other two, it was clear that Seven Elder noticed my embarrassment and introduced, "This is your second brother, and this is your fourth brother. It's more intimate to call me Seven Sister."
The two elders nodded at me with smiling faces.
He Youtian nodded as well and whispered softly, "It's also fine. It hasn't missed time, the teaching has been going on for a while."
Just then, someone suddenly walked out of the Hall of Spirits.
I have a strong impression of that person, it's the third elder.
After he walked down the steps, he immediately waved to me.
I slightly furrowed my brow.
"Go on, it's nothing." He Youtian said.
I remained silent and walked over.
The third elder slightly tilted his head, as if he was assessing me with his nose.
"Young disciple, you're late. Do you know what your crime is?"
I was startled.
Why "come late slowly"? What the heck is that?
After the third elder cleared his throat, his voice was filled with strength, and even those in the Hall of Spirits, and even He Youtian on the other side, could hear him.
"The True Lord has left the mountain. His understanding of Daoism and lightning laws has reached a new level of understanding. Such a level of understanding would not be passed down to ordinary disciples. We elders and our close disciples can study it together."
"However, the True Lord said that after years of hardship outside the mountain, it's especially commendable that you brought back the master's body. Therefore, everyone who is to receive the teachings, especially you, young disciple, must be present."
"Hahaha, young disciple, please come along."
The third elder made a gesture of invitation, indicating that I should move forward.
The eyes of everyone shifted to me from the Hall of Spirits, looking urgent and prompting.
After all, the True Lord's understanding is too rare, and everyone desires it.
In the most inner side of the Hall of Spirits, Zheng Ren was covered by a veil, unmoving as if he was waiting quietly.
I paused for a moment, bowed and lowered my head, saying, "Third Elder, you are too kind. How could I, a mere disciple, deserve the wait from everyone? Moreover, during the time on the Thunder God Cliff, I gained quite a bit of insight. I deeply remember the saying that one should not take in too much all at once; any more insight might be too much for me to bear. Therefore, I must ask the True Lord to withdraw his kindness."
When I finished speaking, there was a commotion in the whole hall!
At this moment, Zheng Ren suddenly said, "But the True Lord insists that you must come in and listen to the teachings. Young disciple, I feel that you have great talent!"
