After thinking for a moment, I told Fe Fang that I needed to go to Xian Dong Mountain first to complete the matters entrusted by my sect before we could proceed. Fe Fang did not ask for details and agreed to accompany me on the journey.
This has no effect on me, so I agreed.
Fe Fang prepared for the action, and as I left the Underworld Palace, I was about to return to Changfeng Daoist Temple when I received a call from Huang Shu.
He sounded slightly melancholic, telling me that Siye is gone.
I was stunned for a moment, and I asked Huang Shu, "What does 'it's gone' mean? Did Tang Laozi strike too hard, and this Siye finally collapsed?"
I did not feel that this was a serious matter. Theoretically, Siye's true body is a yin sí, a ghost that is beyond our comprehension, one that is recorded in the registry of ghosts, and one that the major city-god temples summon is just a fractional soul. The disappearance of one Siye can simply be resolved by summoning another.
And is there a need to inform me about this matter?
Of course, although I was thinking this, I did not actually say those words.
Huang Shu said, "He did not collapse. He simply disappeared, detached from the offerings of the city-god temple, leaving behind only a thread of soul essence."
I wasn't quite clear on what Huang Shu meant by his words.
Huang Shu explained to me that the gathering of Siye relies on such a thread of breath, and when this breath remains, the consciousness of Siye disappears, indicating that it wants to detach itself from the city-god temple.
After a slight pause, Huang Shu continued, "During this period, I have felt that the second Siye summoned does not possess the calm nature of the usual Siye. Now I understand that it might be related to the disturbance of qi by the ground. Since he has a trace of yin sí and has consumed some qi from the ground, he harbors resentment towards you and Zhufang Daoist. I must tell you about this matter, Shengshen, be careful with him."
I completely understand.
After a moment of thinking, I said, "He is not something to be feared. However, if I were to encounter him, I would disperse him. Without the soul essence mentioned by Huang Shu, he would no longer be considered a yin sí."
"Yes, it counts as an evil spirit," Huang Shu replied.
"Then, Huang Shu, do you have anything else to say?" I was preparing to hang up the phone.
"Well...that is not a big deal," Huang Shu said with a hint of melancholy and added, "Yang the Steward is still here with me. If you have free time, you can come to the City God Temple for a sit. I see that Yang's attitude; he wants to revive the guardian temple."
I hesitated for a moment before replying, "In the coming days, I won't be able to make it. However, if Yang the Steward wants to revive the guardian temple, you can pass a message to him for me. If he has any needs, he can contact Yu Yang Ju of Mingfang. Fe Junshi will do me a favor."
For a long time, our relationship with Yang the Steward has undergone many changes, and the help he has provided me is not small. If I can help, I will.
Afterward, I returned to the Changfeng Daoist Temple, and no other events occurred during this period.
It was the dead of night, and Old Gong just happened to appear in the night pot. He was giggling slyly, appearing confident.
I slept for a while.
The next day, after waking up, I only then realized that He You Tian and the others had already left, and even Wu Ling and Tao Zhi had followed.
Of course, not all the disciples left; about ten of them remained, along with one Thirteenth Elder, to rebuild the Changfeng Daoist Temple as the base for supervising the temple.
The Thirteenth Elder was very concerned about me and advised me to be careful on my journey, giving me a few talismans to keep with me.
To be honest, talismans that have a significant effect on me are mostly drawn by someone at the level of He You Tian or Tang Wu, but since the goodwill of the Thirteenth Elder cannot be overlooked, I will carefully store these talismans.
After that, I called the disciples from the other three temples and left Changfeng Daoist Temple again.
I had already sent a message, and Xu Jin and Fe Fang were waiting down below.
Jianghuang City is quite far away, so we took a high-speed train.
Upon arriving at the place, Fe Fang had already contacted the funeral ground of Jianghuang City's Underworld Palace in advance and had a car sent over for our use.
There's no need to mention the journey to Xian Dong Mountain.
Upon arrival, there was another round of climbing.
Upon arriving at the place where the former appearance of Tianshou Daoist Temple was located, the scene before us truly shocked us.
The outer appearance, which had been burnt by fire, had been completely flattened. The mountain wall it was built upon had been carved into a somewhat rough head!
The head seemed to be embedded into the mountain, not a Buddha's head, but a Taoist's head.
It truly gave one a sense of awe and reverence.
Many Taoist were busy. Their hair was not long, and they had not completely broken free from the qi of Gao Tia Temple.
I noticed that the entrance to Tian Gong Quan, the mountain cave, had been filled with rocks and carved into the shape of a chin and lips.
Upon close inspection, it seems that Xinlei Ping Daoist Temple plans to completely block this path.
If it's solid rock inside, it's two or three tens of meters deep and impossible to be dug open by human labor.
Below the Taoist's head, there's an outline of a Daoist temple's foundation, not very large. It seems this will also be set up with an outer gate.
Some Taoist hurriedly walked up to me, bowing their hands together and saying, "Greetings, Luo Daozhang."
Xu Jin rubbed his head, muttering something quietly, but I couldn't hear what he said.
The other Daoist disciples behind me all exchanged looks.
The Taoist disciples behind me, who were so strong with a Buddhist aura, clearly made them uncomfortable.
"The Golden Wheel Elder and the Shenzhao Elder are at the mountain gate on the peak. The monk... cough... Daoist will lead you all up the mountain."
As monks, they adhere to the principle of 'if you come, be at peace'. For this reason, they were not surprised by my sudden visit and sent someone to guide us up the mountain.
I couldn't help but secretly think, the names 'Twins Monk' were quite interesting. However, were they not being too flashy?
Xian Dong Mountain is high, and it took us a day to travel.
Upon arriving, what I saw was still the mountain gate of Tianshou Daoist Temple, but the signboard had been changed to Leiping Daoist Temple. It had been repainted with new paint, giving a sense of vitality.
Upon entering the Daoist temple, we encountered many Taoist along the way, who bowed their hands together and greeted us with respect.
Even the people of Gu Qiang City smiled and covered their mouths.
Let alone the people from Ju Qu Mountain and Yun Jin Mountain.
The main hall was newly built, and its location was even at the spot where a huge stone bowl used to be placed.
Of course, the stone bowl had long been damaged. The spot still had some protruding rocks, which were polished and two cushioned mats were placed on top.
The twin monks are old and cannot grow their hair back anymore. They wear red Taoist robes, and the burned marks on their heads still somewhat distract from the reality of being monks.
"Luo Daozhang, it's been a long time, your majesty's appearance is even more majestic. I am Jinlun." One of the twin monks bowed his hands together and greeted me.
The other twin monk glanced at him and, with slightly stiff hands, clasped his fists before saying, "I am Shenzhao. I'm sorry for making Luo Daozhang laugh. The disciple hasn't quite adapted to the rules yet. In the future, I will visit more Daoist temples to cultivate my true form."
"Perhaps you two are not too keen on walking around," Old Gong popped out from my shoulder, muttering, "We dragged our feet all the way to the foot of Si Gui Mountain, and still couldn't get the head up the mountain. Zzzz."
As it was night, Old Gong could naturally appear.
The two of them looked at each other in astonishment, their eyes filled with contemplation: "What does this mean?"
"All right, Old Gong," I changed the subject.
Regarding Wu Ling's incident in Si Gui Mountain, it is no longer of much significance.
As a result, the twin monk who called himself Jinlun, asked with caution: "Luo Daozhang, did Si Gui Mountain as promised burn Tianshou's head?"
