Chapter 209: Chapter 149: Calamity Begins_1
Translator: 549690339
Taibai peaks buried in snow, in June’s daylight, clouds surge like escaping white smoke.
A month later, Mount Zhongnan, Taibai Peak, the Palace of Longevity.
This was one of Taoism’s ancestral courts, a place of outstanding people and spirit, with beautiful mountains and rivers.
On the peak, palaces clustered majestically, surrounded by a sea of clouds as vast as the heavens, resembling a fairyland.
At this moment, the sound of gongs and drums echoed, the Brahma chant resonated, and Buddha’s light entered the sea of clouds, piercing the tranquil air.
A team, resembling a dragon, approached swiftly, unmistakably a group of monks from all directions, arriving at the gates of Mount Zhongnan, handing over a visiting card to the gatekeeping boy.
A moment later, several streaks of flowing light descended, transforming into the figures of Taoist men, indeed several Taoist True Monarchs from the Palace of Longevity.
Several True Monarchs came to welcome them, and amidst the team, the brilliant Buddha’s light was visible as a monk, resembling the Buddha himself, stepped forward and came before the True Monarchs, “This monk has witnessed the presence of the various True Monarchs!”
“The Abbot has come from afar, which fills us with honor and surprise.”
“Please!”
Although the purpose of their visit was unknown, the True Monarchs did not dare to neglect the Holy Monk from Buddhism and immediately welcomed him into the palace.
Once inside the guest hall, everyone took their seats.
As they looked at Pudu Cihang, questions filled their eyes. “The Water-Land Dharma Assembly is complete, Abbot. Why travel here instead of to the south?”
Pudu Cihang smiled, “The purpose of this monk’s visit precisely concerns the matters of the south.”
“This…”
The several True Monarchs glanced at each other, uncertain of his intentions, and could only ask, “Does the abbot still insist on what was said before?”
“Indeed!”
Pudu Cihang nodded and said, “This monk hereby vows to eradicate the Demon. Mount Zhongnan is Taoism’s ancestral court, and the Palace of Longevity is the model of the Taoist tradition. Thus, I have come to request the aid of the True Monarchs!”
“This…”
The True Monarchs, upon hearing this, frowned deeply.
They of the Palace of Longevity on Mount Zhongnan, as an ancestral court of Taoism with a celebrated lineage, how could they possibly join Pudu Cihang’s battle chariot and direct the spearhead towards the south amidst the conflict between Buddha’s Way and Taoism?
Maintaining neutrality and staying clear of this muddy water would be good enough.
As a Holy Monk of Buddhism, Pudu Cihang should understand this principle; why then would he come to invite disdain?
The True Monarchs looked troubled.
Pudu Cihang, unaffected, said, “This matter is not a conflict between Buddha and Taoism, but a matter of life and death for all beings. Hence, this monk took the liberty to visit and trouble you all to invite True Monarch Danyang; I will explain everything to him.”
Upon hearing this, the others could only nod, “Please wait, Abbot. We have already sent word, and our lead teacher brother will arrive shortly.”
“Hmm!”
Pudu Cihang glanced and waited quietly.
This left the True Monarchs somewhat embarrassed, so they tried to find another topic, “Abbot, with the Water-Land Dharma Assembly concluded, Brother Bao Heng went to attend but has yet to return. Could it be something has delayed him?”
Pudu Cihang smiled, “True Monarch Bao Heng remains in the capital, discussing the Dharma and debating Tao with several fellow practitioners, perhaps momentarily forgetting himself and missing his journey back.”
“I see.”
The others nodded, harboring no further suspicions.
A moment later, a middle-aged Taoist Man dressed in Taoist robes, with an impressive demeanor, walked into the hall.
It was indeed the lead teacher of the Palace of Longevity—True Monarch Danyang.
“Lead teacher brother!”
“True Monarch Danyang!”
The several True Monarchs stood up immediately, and Pudu Cihang also came forward to meet him.
“With the Abbot gracing us with your presence, it truly honors us… Hmm!?”
True Monarch Danyang was about to exchange pleasantries when he felt something was amiss. He looked at Pudu Cihang’s calm face, and his third eye’s Spirit Light flickered, revealing the talisman between his brows.
Once the Spirit Talisman appeared, his vision transformed, and upon seeing the person in front of him again, he beheld mountains of corpses and seas of blood, surrounded by endless curses and resentment, merely concealed by a layer of Buddha’s light.
“You… How bold, demon!”
This vision terrified True Monarch Danyang, who became instantly furious, “How dare you come to my Palace of Longevity and behave so recklessly!”
“Amitabha!”
Seeing this, Pudu Cihang showed no surprise, looking at True Monarch Danyang with a calm demeanor, “It is no wonder that this is an ancestral court of Taoism, this Five Evident Spirit Officer Seal truly lives up to its reputation.”
“Jade Shu Fire Department, Divine Guard General, come forth with urgency!”
True Monarch Danyang had no intention to engage in conversation, he formed a hand seal and uttered a summoning chant; immediately, a Divine Guard General appeared in front of him with a fiery red face, bulbous eyes, sharp fangs, and a fierce expression, wielding a golden whip in one hand and a gold brick in the other, wearing golden armor and standing atop wind and fire.
He was none other than the Duotian Supervisor Spirit Officer, the foremost divine protector of Taoism!
As the ancestral court of Taoism, Mount Zhongnan possessed a treasure known as the Five Evident Spirit Officer Seal, capable of invoking the Duotian Supervisor Spirit Officer. Though not the true deity himself, he possessed extraordinary might.
The King Spirit Officer appeared, wielding a golden whip, and unleashed a ferocious attack.
“Amitabha!”
Pudu Cihang’s expression remained unchanged, he proclaimed the Buddha’s name, his body radiating splendid Buddha’s light.
Suddenly…
“Boom!”
The earth shook, the halls crumbled, and amidst the boundless Buddha’s light, the likeness of Śākyamuni manifested.
“Homage to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, behold the Tathagata’s presence!
“Will you not lay down your butcher’s knife and take refuge in Buddha, to forever enjoy ultimate bliss?”
“You… Ancestor Master, aid me!!!”
In the west, within the Pure Yang Palace, a gathering of True Monarchs hastened to assemble in the Hall of the Three Pure Ones.
“Lead teacher brother, something terrible has happened!”
“News from the Palace of Longevity: Pudu Cihang is a demon!”
“The Palace of Longevity has been attacked by it; demons are rampant on Mount Zhongnan, I fear they will not hold out for long!”
“The words of North City have turned out to be true!”
“This…”
“Quickly, dispatch this news throughout the land to inform all paths, as well as the Buddhist temples, and also to North City, to call for Taoist Master Mingxiao!”
“Under the pretext of the Water-Land Dharma Assembly, that demon has summoned high monks from various temples to the capital to preside. Now I fear the Capital Region is in great peril.”
“We must hasten our aid to Mount Zhongnan…”
“Rumble!”
Before they could finish speaking, the mountain gate shook.
“What…”
“What’s going on?”
Several True Monarchs, shocked and angry, hurriedly cast spells to check the anomaly.
But what they saw…
“The Old Demon of Bashan?”
“How is that possible!”
Outside the mountain gate, a black tiger, a massive demon black tiger as immense as a mountain, raised its paw and struck down heavily upon the gate of the Pure Yang Palace, with countless more demons appearing across the mountainside.
“You snotty-nosed brats of the Pure Yang Palace, this king has come to collect the interest owed from years past, hahaha!”
The black tiger roared with laughter, delivering another blow so powerful that even the mountain gate’s array, which shimmered with spiritual light, could hardly withstand the combined force of its terrifying physical strength and the sinister demonic qi, causing the mountains themselves to shake.
“This Old Demon of Bashan…”
“Wasn’t he killed before?”
“That Pudu Cihang deceived us!”
“No, even a demon as ancient as ten thousand years couldn’t possibly shake the mountain gate of our Pure Yang Palace.”
“Has it… broken through?”
“Quickly summon the Ancestor Master and deploy the Pure Yang Sword Diagram, we absolutely cannot let it breach the mountain gate!”
The True Monarchs were panic-stricken and in disarray as they hurried to call upon the Ancestor Master’s Altar, throwing a scroll into the air.
The scroll unfurled, revealing a diagram in which a figure appeared, a man of lofty Daoist virtue exuding an otherworldly aura, with a sword on his back, sheathed yet fiercely sharp.
It was none other than the founder of Pure Yang, the Mysterious Dao Heavenly Venerated One, Lu Zu Dongbin!
Lu Zu cast a cold glance and drew his immortal sword from its sheath, slashing it towards the demon.
“The Pure Yang Sword Diagram?”
“Hmph!”
Seeing this, the Bashan tiger sneered coldly and with a swipe of its paw, shattered the incoming sword light.
“Did you really think this king remained the same Bashan Tiger of yesteryear?”
“Hahaha!”
Amidst the peals of wild laughter, demonic qi surged, overpowering the might of the sword diagram, and the mountain gate trembled on the verge of collapse.
Just then…
“How arrogant these demon cultivators are!”
A figure descended from the sky, his flying whisk lashing out like a whip, instantly repelling the black tiger.
“It’s True Monarch Changrong!”
“This…”
“Has he become a Heavenly Master?”
As True Monarch Changrong descended from the sky to battle the Old Demon of Bashan, the cultivators of Pure Yang Palace were stunned for a moment before realizing, “Quick, welcome him into the mountain to take control of the Pure Yang Sword Diagram!”
“Brother Dao Changrong, come inside the mountain!”
The cultivators shouted, and True Monarch Changrong, without further entanglement, drove back the black tiger and retreated into the palace.
“Thank you for your assistance, Brother Dao!”
“This matter…”
As the Pure Yang cultivators came forward to speak, they were cut off by True Monarch Changrong.
“That Pudu Cihang has tamed a host of ancient demons using the Deceive the Heavens and Cross the Sea technique and passed down the Seventh Realm methods. Now, these ancient demons have all stepped into the Seventh Realm, and coupled with the numerous demons it has hidden, this place is no longer defensible, we can only retreat to the south.”
True Monarch Changrong looked at the others, “Later, I will open a path. Everyone must break through, otherwise, I fear you will fall prey to the demons!”
“This…”
At these words, all the Pure Yang cultivators turned pale.
“Brother Dao, has it really come to this?”
“With your cultivation as a Heavenly Master, plus the Pure Yang Sword Diagram and formations, perhaps we could still hold the line.”
“Brother Dao Changrong, has Taoist Master Mingxiao gone to Mount Zhongnan, or is he unwilling…”
“Hmph!”
Just as a few were about to speak, True Monarch Changrong interrupted them coldly, “If the Taoist Master hadn’t sacrificed himself to enter the capital and fought the demon to a standstill at the Water-Land Dharma Assembly, causing it to suffer injuries and reveal weaknesses, how could Palace of Longevity even have caught sight of its tracks? We probably would have died without knowing why, let alone send out any messages.”
“This…”
Hearing this, the cultivators were chastened, but still they struggled to say, “We were blind and did not heed the Taoist Master’s words, instead believing the deceitful words of that demon, but this…”
“No more words are needed!”
True Monarch Changrong waved his sleeve, “The Taoist Master has already decided to retreat to the south. If you don’t leave, then stay here. I can save the effort and rescue those who should be saved.”
One month later, in North City County.
At Mount Jilei, within Mingxiao Taoist Temple.
In the guest hall, the atmosphere was somber.
The cultivators remained silent, overwhelmed by grief and anger.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard as a group of people entered the hall.
Looking up, the crowd was struck by a mixture of shock and joy, and they hurried forward to greet them.
“Taoist Master!”
“Heavenly Master!”
Some cried out in excitement, others wept, while a few outright fell to their knees.
“We were blind and did not heed the words of the Heavenly Master, instead believing the deceitful words of that demon. Now… it is too late for regrets, far too late!”
“In the battle at Mount Zhongnan, our Taoist sect leader and five True Monarchs all perished at the hands of the demons, and out of the thousands of Taoists in Palace of Longevity, barely one in ten survived, all others becoming blood food for the demons.”
“We beg you, Heavenly Master, to take action, to cleanse the demons, and save the people of this world.”
“We, as cultivators, are ashamed and willing to sacrifice our lives to assist the Heavenly Master in pacifying the Northern Territory and exterminating the calamity-spreading demons, to atone for our sins.”
Their voices filled with sobs and regret as they spoke.
Seeing the people kneeling before him, Xu Yang shook his head, “It’s the will of the heavens, not the fault of individuals. My fellow Taoists, there is no need for self-blame!”
With a wave of his hand, he helped everyone to their feet and then turned to True Monarch Changrong, “What’s the situation now?”
True Monarch Changrong shook his head, “The area around the capital is now like the Ghost Realm, shrouded in demonic Buddha light for thousands of miles, impossible to discern, but it’s likely that no living beings remain inside.”
“Under the name of the Water-Land Dharma Assembly, the demon beckoned senior monks from various Buddhist temples to the capital, including the Sanlun Sect, Faxiang Sect, Tiantai Sect, Huayan Sect, Pure Land Sect, Chan Sect, Vinaya Sect, Esoteric Buddhism, and the major temples—Great Compassion Temple, Grass Hall Temple, Huayan Temple, Fragrance Accumulation Temple, and Promoting Goodness Temple… The high monks of all these temples have disappeared into the capital, and the remaining monks could not withstand the demons, perishing one and all.”
“The Buddhist lineage has been nearly decimated to one in ten!”
“Taoism has also suffered tremendous losses. With the ruination of Mount Zhongnan and the annihilation of Palace of Longevity, even Pure Yang Palace couldn’t escape. Furthermore, Misty Cave, Mount Taibai, Mount Mang… The Northern Taoist sects have all been broken, with demons rampaging through six provinces, causing unbearable suffering for all living creatures.”
“We did our utmost in the rescue efforts but only managed to relocate a portion; still, tens of millions of civilians have become prey to the demons.”
“The demon has passed down the Seventh Realm methods, and now under its command are four grand demon gods, all ancient demons who have broken through. Besides, there’s a host of Demon Emperors and Demon Kings, and the paths between the dual realms of yin and yang have also been opened, allowing countless Evil Ghosts to stream into the human world. Along with the Demon Army, they are now pressing towards the south.”