Chapter 139: Chapter 99: Power_1
Translator: 549690339
“Me?”
Faced with the gazes of the two, Xu Yang smiled playfully.
“Actually, some time ago, I met this Yin Mountain Taoist.”
“Oh?”
“Is that so?”
White Mountain Monk and Taoist Qinghe looked at Xu Yang with some surprise, but they quickly came to terms with it.
If the changes in the Hundred Ghosts Forest were known to White Mountain, how could he, renowned in Jinhua for his exceptional abilities, the King Shifa, not know?
Taoist Qinghe asked curiously, “Brother Shi, how does that Yin Mountain Taoist’s skills compare to yours?”
“Hard to say.”
Xu Yang shook his head and said with a light laugh, “I did not cross hands with him.”
“Oh?”
White Mountain Monk and Taoist Qinghe exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
After ten years of acquaintance, they knew well the nature of this brother Dao: he loathed evil, eliminated demons, never showed mercy, and was fearless. Unless he faced an entity like those from the Orchid Ghost Realm, there was virtually no evil spirit that could make him back down.
Now, he had met with that Yin Mountain Taoist and there had been no conflict, no fight?
Could it be…
“Although the Yin Mountain Taoist practices ghost-controlling techniques, that’s all there is to it!”
Xu Yang shook his head, interrupting their speculation.
“He only practiced the Ghost Enslaving Skills and did not delve into the evil path. On the contrary, his cultivation techniques are indeed from Taoist True Scriptures, with Taoist mana that is extremely pure. He has definitely not practiced any of the cruel and extreme evil cultivation techniques; therefore, he is not an evil cultivator.”
“This…”
Upon hearing this, the two were somewhat astonished and weren’t sure what to think.
Eventually, White Mountain Monk was the first to recover. “No wonder that day he only ordered the Increase Life General to fight me and did not let the Increase and Decrease Two Generals attack together. After winning, he stopped at the right moment, merely driving me out of the Hundred Ghosts Forest without delivering a deadly blow. It turns out he does not share the same nature as those from the Ghost Path.”
“It’s good he’s not an evil cultivator!”
Relieved by this, Taoist Qinghe also breathed a sigh of relief.
They did not doubt Xu Yang’s words.
The ways of cultivation and the art of Dao protection are inseparable, yet distinctly different, and not the same thing.
Moreover, in this world where cultivation is focused on the Divine Soul, ghost souls and underworld spirits are also valuable resources for spiritual practice. Therefore, practitioners of Ghost Enslaving Skills are not uncommon, with loose cultivators being particularly numerous.
Let’s not even mention those impoverished loose cultivators without resources; even within the two doors of Taoism and Buddhism, there are many experts who employ ghost-controlling techniques.
Hence, one cannot simply brand someone an evil cultivator for employing ghost control.
If so, what about the legion of Divine Guard Generals within Taoism and Buddhism?
Whether one is an evil cultivator or not depends on the cultivation technique, not the skills used.
As long as one does not practice the evil cultivation techniques, does not consume human flesh and soul, does not harm the natural order, and does not bring calamity upon the living, then even if they practice Ghost Enslaving Skills, they cannot be considered evil cultivators.
On the contrary…
“I’ve also looked into this man’s background; he’s a loose cultivator. Ten years ago, once his cultivation skills matured, he began to wander the Jiangnan region, specializing in killing evil ghosts and demons, feeding those spirits to the Increase Life and Damage Fate Two Generals.”
“Although he sometimes harms living people, those are immensely evil individuals, whose deaths are insignificant. After all, the Increase and Decrease Two Generals are only suited to feed on evil ghosts; consuming ordinary underworld souls is more harmful than beneficial.”
Xu Yang said with a light laugh, “Therefore, not only is this man not an evil cultivator, but he’s also a pillar of talent for the Righteous Path.”
“This…”
Though they had accepted the fact that the man was not an evil cultivator, hearing Xu Yang give such high praise and even calling him a pillar of talent for the Righteous Path still left White Mountain Monk and Taoist Qinghe quite doubtful.
However, Xu Yang didn’t care what they thought and dropped another bombshell, “Truth be told, Yin Mountain Taoist brother and I admire each other greatly and share similar aspirations. After exchanging the ceremony of brotherhood with eight bows, he is my brother and I am his junior. Henceforth, Mount Jilei’s Mingxiao Taoist Temple and the Hundred Ghosts Forest’s Yin Mountain Mansion Taoist Temple will be branches of the same lineage, sharing the same spirit, flourishing together, and declining together!”
“What?”
“This…!”
This statement nearly knocked White Mountain Monk and Taoist Qinghe off their feet, as they looked incredulously at Xu Yang.
It was indeed unbelievable.
They were well aware of Xu Yang’s divine skills, with his Thunder Series techniques being extremely sharp. Not to mention among loose cultivators, even among the legitimate heirs of the Taoist Righteous Sects, such talent was very rare. He was indeed a prodigy.
And such a figure had sworn brotherhood with a ghost-controlling loose cultivator?
It truly was unimaginable.
But, reflecting on the usual conduct and behavior of King Shifa, both eventually came to terms with it.
Although Brother Shi from Mount Ji was vehement in despising evil and eliminating demons, never sparing them, he was not stubbornly dogmatic or unreasonable.
On the contrary, he was clear about good and evil, readily helped others in justice, and his thunderous methods were reserved only for ghosts, demons, and evildoers, never harming the innocents or muddling right with wrong.
Back when he took over Peach Blossom Mountain, he seemed somewhat ruthless and fierce, but that was because they had dealings with Peach Blossom Path.
Once they proved their innocence and cleared any suspicion, he personally apologized without letting his high cultivation status get in the way.
This allowed the three of them to cultivate together and form a deep bond of friendship.
Not to mention the three of them; in Jinhua, and throughout the Jiangzhe region, among the Righteous Daoist cultivators, aside from those hypocritically righteous ones, who doesn’t respect his character?
The Mingxiao Taoist Temple that loathes evil, the King Shifa who eagerly champions justice, who in the Jiangzhe region does not know, who is not aware?
And it’s not only the people; even among demons, he only eliminates the vicious and never harms the virtuous.
Not to mention anything else, let’s talk about Li Jieyuan’s Guo Bei Academy.
Every true cultivator in Jinhua Mansion knows that in recent years, Guo Bei Academy has harbored a great many unusual spirit monsters.
But has he ever visited Guo Bei Academy to slay demons and exorcise evil?
Never!
Why? Because the demon spirits in Guo Bei Academy are all kindly spirit monsters that do not harm human life, much less cause misfortune to the masses.
Thus, he naturally wouldn’t make a move against them. He not only refrained from acting but also provided them with protection. Many cultivators who wished to bother those demon spirits at Guo Bei Academy were “persuaded” eloquently to turn back by him.
Furthermore, those evil cultivators who harbored ill intent and wanted to use kind spirit monsters to practice their techniques were, without exception, annihilated by his thunder series skills—reduced to ashes and smoke.
One can see how high his moral standing is: although he practices thunder series skills and despises evil as an enemy, he is by no means an uncompromising cultivator who kills indiscriminately without differentiating between right and wrong.
If the Yin Mountain Taoist is indeed as he says, then it’s only natural for him to become sworn brothers with him.
Taoist Qinghe chuckled, “Brother Shi truly has a passionate nature!”
White Mountain Monk also nodded, “The matter of the Hundred Ghosts Forest was my lack of caution. I shall visit Senior of Yin Mountain in the future to offer my deep apologies with a birch as penance.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Xu Yang waved his hand and said gently with a smile, “Brother Dao of Yin Mountain is magnanimous, such small matters will surely not weigh on his heart. Besides, he’s currently engrossed in his austere cultivation in the Forest of Hundred Ghosts, harnessing evil ghosts for his techniques. It’s best if we do not disturb him.”
Having said that, he reassured them, “When we have free time one day, I’ll act as a matchmaker and invite him to join the two of you for a gathering. Over drinks and happy chatter, we will naturally dispel any past misunderstandings.”
“That…”
“Alright then!”
Upon hearing this, White Mountain did not persist, “Please convey my apologies on my behalf, Brother Shi.”
Xu Yang nodded, “Of course.”
Only Taoist Qinghe slightly furrowed his brows, hesitating to speak, “Brother Shi, there is a matter I’m unsure whether to discuss.”
Xu Yang smiled, “My friend, you may speak freely.”
Taoist Qinghe hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to voice his concern, “Brother Shi, your judgement is naturally infallible, but from what I understand, those Increase Life and Damage Fate Two Generals are utterly malicious ghosts, prone to losing control. If they can be suppressed, all is well, but if not, and they bite back at their master, that’s truly unfortunate.”
“Indeed!”
White Mountain Monk also said, “The Increase Life and Damage Fate Two Generals have reached their limit; just one step further, and they could become a Ghost King. My pure Buddhist Law has no effect on them. If they were to lose control, what then? If Brother Shi has the opportunity, I suggest advising Senior of Yin Mountain to restrain those two generals’ progress.”
Xu Yang chuckled, “Rest assured, Brother Dao of Yin Mountain has his methods. I can even guarantee with my life that if Increase Life and Damage Fate Two Generals bring misfortune to the people, I will risk my own cultivation without hesitation to annihilate them.”
“That…”
“Since Brother Shi has said so, we feel relieved.”
Seeing Xu Yang so confidently make such a guarantee, the two of them looked at each other and chose not to dwell on the matter any further.
Taoist Qinghe then changed the subject, “Brother Shi, has Li Jieyuan already become your disciple?”
Xu Yang shook his head, smiling lightly, “Sword Minister and I are sworn friends of different ages. We consider each other equals and do not speak of a master-disciple relationship.”
“Oh?”
Taoist Qinghe raised an eyebrow, “He is exceptionally talented and proficient both in literary and martial arts. It’s a pity that the current political climate is unstable and fortunes are unclear. Otherwise, if he were to go to the capital for the imperial examinations, he would surely emerge as the top scholar with ease and could effortlessly become a Great Scholar in the future.”
“Indeed.”
White Mountain Monk concurred, “Nowadays, it’s hard to pursue studies of Confucianism and Buddhism. This man has unwrought talent—he’s like uncarved jade. If he steps onto the path of cultivation, he’ll surely achieve extraordinary accomplishments. Taoist Friend Qinghe and I have long wished to take him under our wing.”
Xu Yang chuckled, “I have already gifted him a copy of the Taoist True Scriptures. I believe it won’t be long before we gain another fellow Daoist.”
“Brother Shi is magnanimous.”
Upon hearing this, Taoist Qinghe could not help but smile wryly, “Although we cherish talented individuals, we are hindered by the rules of our fraternities and cannot easily impart our teachings. If Li Jieyuan were to join either of us, I’m afraid he would waste more than a decade. Now that Brother Shi has imparted the teachings, we can rest assured.”
Taoist of Peach Blossom nodded his head, “This man possesses great talent and fame throughout the land, and his literary fortune is profound. After stepping on the path, he will surely make rapid progress, and his eventual accomplishments will certainly surpass both of us. Only Brother Shi can stand shoulder to shoulder with him.”
Xu Yang smiled, “My fellow Daoists flatter me too much.”
Taoist Qinghe then spoke, “However, in recent years, Guo Bei Academy’s actions have been rather unconventional. Brother Shi, when you have time, you should advise Li Jieyuan, as continuing in this manner may lead to blessings that are not blessings.”
Hearing this, Xu Yang’s expression turned serious, “Sword Minister and I share a genuine friendship. I thoroughly understand his character—he would never do anything unjust or improper. As long as he does not follow the path of evil, does not commit wicked deeds, he will forever be my good friend Shi Jian. Those who make things difficult for him will be making them difficult for me, Shi Jian, regardless of their origins. There will be a showdown!”
“That…”
Taoist Qinghe and White Mountain Monk looked at each other, then simultaneously displayed a wry smile, “Brother Shi is indeed passionate; we were the ones who were too much. Enough said. Just as Brother Shi stated, as long as he does not take the path of evil, does not commit wicked acts, then what’s the harm in being a bit unorthodox? We who share a bond in cultivation should advance and retreat together, how can we break promises and betray loyalty?”
In the end, their helplessness faded away, replaced with genuine sentiments.
In recent years, with the expansion of Guo Bei Academy, some of Li Jieyuan’s actions have indeed been somewhat unconventional.
Though his reputation and influence in the Jiangzhe scholarly community have been sufficient to maintain control of the situation, it will ultimately lead to shocks and possibly even rejection by all sides if he does not restrain himself.
That’s why the two of them intended to use their good friend “Shi Jian” to persuade him to moderate a bit.
But they did not expect their Brother Dao Shi’s friendship with Li Jieyuan to run so deep, showing a total commitment to protecting him.
Given this, the two could not say much more, for it was just in the nature of their “Brother Shi” to be so loyal. There was no way he would betray or abandon loyalty.
However, with him, a mana king comparable to a true person, providing protection, and the addition of his newly sworn brother Yin Mountain Taoist, as well as their own standing as righteous cultivators from Mana Bright Temple and Qingping Taoist Temple, forming a powerful alliance, what was the harm in Li Jieyuan being a bit unconventional in his conduct?
As long as he doesn’t follow the path of evil, that’s all that matters.
For any other matters, they would do as Brother Shi said: have it out and see who is greater.
Leaving the matter aside, the three of them enjoyed their tea and joyful conversation, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
So it continued until sunset behind the western hills, and only then did the feast end.
The three parted ways, each returning to their own Daoist abodes.