amaotonovel Chapter 338 My Lord, what should I do?
Chapter 338 My Lord, what should I do?
Chapter 338 My Lord, what should I do?
The spring rain in Chong'an County was like silk, seemingly following in Jiang Wen's footsteps to Dawang Peak. It drizzled for three days in a row, and the countless rain threads wove an invisible cage, gently and stubbornly locking things inside.
Since Jiang Wen ordered the mountain to be closed, the entire mountain has been congested like never before. Apart from the forbidden area of the sects at the top of Dawang Peak, martial arts practitioners can be seen sitting and lying in tents almost everywhere. Obviously, these lower-level martial arts practitioners do not care much about eating and sleeping in the open and sleeping in the brambles, since food and drink will be provided from the foot of the mountain every day.
In stark contrast, the Wudang and Xiandu sects at the foot of the mountain launched attacks in all directions. For a time, figures dressed in Taoist robes and hurrying about could be seen everywhere in the Wuyi Mountains. Like nimble mountain dogs, they raced against time to search every rock in the stream, every barren hill, and beat up every suspicious person. They even plowed through the residences of the martial arts practitioners in Sanliting twice, showing no sign of giving up until they achieved their goal.
The bet between Jiang Wen and Feng Daode is a life-or-death line hanging over their heads. The more convenient the conditions are now, the more strained they will be in three days. Therefore, they dare not waste a single second.
Compared to Feng Daode, Jiang Wen was much calmer during these three days. Apart from occasionally drinking and chatting with people from the martial arts world, he spent most of his time instructing his disciples in martial arts, seemingly without any concern about how things would end after three days.
Outside the Tongtian Hall, Jiang Wen stood with his hands behind his back, watching the disciples in front of him practice their martial arts moves one by one, occasionally offering guidance.
"Poke it up, 'Wandering the World' requires light and agile swordplay, with intention following the move."
He reached out and gently brushed his hand. Fu Ningdie felt a soft yet irresistible force coming from her. Her long sword involuntarily drew an arc and pierced the void three feet in front of her. "This sword technique is light and graceful, with subtle and skillful power. Its essence lies in borrowing momentum, rather than showing off one's courage in a straightforward manner."
Fu Ningdie nodded earnestly, carefully recalling the intricacies of the move.
She envied her fellow disciples' performances on the stage and had long wanted to learn a powerful weapon skill. Jiang Wen, after much deliberation, was determined to ensure that everyone had a sword to practice, even if it was just for show.
She pestered Jiang Wen for a long time before finally getting the sword technique instruction. She was quite excited, but for some reason, when she tried to practice it herself, she always felt that she had the form but not the spirit, and couldn't grasp the essentials.
Seeing this, Jiang Wen comforted him, saying, "Don't be impatient. This 'Jade Maiden Sword Technique' emphasizes the harmony between mindset and emotions. If you control it with the appropriate mindset, you'll achieve twice the result with half the effort. In a few years, when you reach puberty, you'll naturally be able to perform it flawlessly."
Fu Ningdie's eyes darted around: "Master, if I'm facing someone in battle and I can't get into the right mindset or get into the zone, wouldn't this sword technique be completely useless?"
Jiang Wen patted her little head and said confidently, "It's alright. I'll also teach you a set of 'Beauty Fist Techniques.' If you can't find the right mindset when fighting someone, just practice this set of women's fist techniques, and you'll naturally find the right state."
Fu Ningdie nodded as if she understood, then ran off to continue practicing her skills.
Lin Zhennan stood under the old pine tree outside the Tongtian Hall, watching this scene. He shook his head and sighed. Although Jiang Wen was skilled in martial arts, his words were always so frivolous and flippant. No wonder some people always thought of him as a charlatan.
Seeing that Jiang Wen had finished instructing his disciples, Lin Zhennan slowly walked over.
"Zilu, you're quite composed."
Lin Zhennan cut to the chase, his tone tinged with confusion, "Tomorrow marks the three-day deadline, and you haven't shown any interest in searching for the statue of the Green Ox Taoist. I've heard that thing is of great importance. If the Wudang Sect finds it first, will you care or not?"
"Why are you looking for it? Even if you find it today, Feng Daode will still come to snatch it away tomorrow."
Jiang Wen said calmly, "Brother Lin, besides, some things are harder to find the more you try to find them. Instead of wandering around the mountains like headless flies like them, it's better to calm down and sort out the clues."
"But if you don't leave Dawang Peak, besides a copy of 'Langhuan Ji,' what other clues do you have?"
Lin Zhennan raised an eyebrow, clearly unwilling. Under Jiang Wen's long-term brainwashing, he had gradually developed a dislike for the Taoist sect. He always felt that the other party was trying to steal his things, and he always felt a bit uncomfortable. "That book is vague, and there are many different opinions about who the author is, not to mention the whereabouts of the Qingniu Weng Taoist statue."
Jiang Wen shook his head, his gaze becoming profound.
"No. Actually, I went to Huixian Temple to see Master Yuanhuazi on the very first day."
He slowly said, "He told me that the author of 'Langhuan Ji' was indeed Sang Yue. However, when he wrote this book, he used the pseudonym Yin Shizhen."
According to Yuan Huazi, the matter was not so mysterious, because the text mentioned that the blessed land contained "secret manuals such as Jade Capital Purple Star, Golden True Seven Jade, and Crimson Book Purple Characters". Obviously, the author had some connection with the Taoist sect, and Yuan Huazi just happened to know the connection.
Lin Zhennan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "So it really is him! That talented scholar from Wuzhong who is known for his unrestrained and unconventional ways. My ancestral home is not far from his, and I have heard of his and Zhu Yunming's great names, but I never thought that 'Langhuan Ji' was written by him."
"Exactly."
Jiang Wen nodded. "Master Yuan Huazi said that Sang Yue studied Confucianism throughout his life but his official career was full of twists and turns. In his later years, he turned to the study of Taoist scriptures. The turning point was when he was demoted to the position of Tongpan in Liuzhou. He stayed there for a long time. In the last few years before his death, he devoted almost all his energy to assisting the Taoist sect in its restoration and developing Jiangzhenxiang. He even wrote a special article called 'On Jiangzhenxiang'."
Although Yuan Huazi's martial arts skills were mediocre, he excelled in studying various classic texts and pharmacology, and was a master in the art of incense making and medicine refining. Therefore, he highly praised Sang Yue's research on the development of agarwood.
Agarwood, also known as wisteria incense or chicken bone incense, was historically a luxury item in the Yuan and Ming dynasties. However, excessive logging led to resource depletion, and by the mid-Ming dynasty, agarwood was on the verge of extinction. People tried to use Hainan rosewood as a substitute, but the effect was far inferior to that of agarwood, so they had to give up in despair until Sang Yue stepped in to help.
"Agarwood?" Lin Zhennan frowned. "What does this have to do with the statue of the Taoist priest Qingniu Weng, and with the Langhuan Blessed Land?"
“I don’t know what the connection is. But my intuition tells me that I will make new discoveries on this of the two clues I’m on now.”
Jiang Wen spread his hands and said, "Master Yuan Huazi reminded me that Sang Yue is arrogant and always compares himself to Mencius. People like him can write thousands of words but no one will use them. So he will hide the real secret in seemingly unrelated words."
Lin Zhennan asked excitedly, "Have you figured it out yet?"
"Not yet. Actually, I still don't understand why he wrote things like 'Lao Dan is not dead,' let alone what he discovered. Don't worry, there's still half a day left. Maybe I'll suddenly figure it out in the middle of the night?"
Lin Zhennan wanted to ask something more, but Jiang Wen quickly reached out and called Lin Pingzhi over: "Pingzhi, you don't need to practice your kung fu. Come and accompany your father for a stroll in the mountains."
I finally managed to get rid of him with just a few words, and then I breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew that Lao Linzi was kind-hearted and worried about him, but the Wuyi and Wudang sects were not engaged in any battle of egos or swordsmanship. There were only three possible situations they faced.
The first scenario is that the Wudang Sect finds the statue of the Taoist priest Qingniu Weng first, the siege of Dawang Peak is lifted, the martial arts tournament concludes smoothly, and Jiang Wen will not deliberately try to seize the treasure.
The second scenario is that the Wuyi Sect finds the item, and the Wudang Sect, with its domineering nature, will inevitably try to win it over. There may be further competition between the two sides, and Jiang Wen can decide based on the situation. The worst outcome is to ensure the successful conclusion of the martial arts tournament.
The third possibility is that neither faction has found it, the statue of the Taoist Qingniu Weng is still in someone's hands, or it has simply disappeared completely. When the three-day period is up, Feng Daode will have no choice but to give up. He can't keep these people trapped on the mountain forever, can he?
All three possibilities point to the same result: the Wuyi Sect's martial arts tournament can be completed as scheduled in three days. So why should Jiang Wen choose the second option and cause everyone to be unhappy?
What led Jiang Wen to the disappearance of the Green Ox Taoist statue was an unexpected discovery.
………………
In fact, when Jiang Wen went to Huixian Temple to visit Yuan Huazi, he also took the opportunity to visit the three patients staying at the medicine hut.
Zhou Long was still unconscious and had a high fever. Yuan Huazi said that he was injured both internally and externally, and that his true qi had also been damaged. Even after using up all the golden wound medicine and having Jiang Wen personally use his internal energy to heal him, it took a long time before he was finally out of danger.
Huang Liangjianfu, on the other hand, was much more relaxed. Although he was still unable to fight with others, his walking, sitting and lying down were no longer affected. In his spare time, he could help Huixian Temple carry water and chop wood, and seemed to enjoy the boring and tedious secluded life here.
Upon seeing Jiang Wen, the two exchanged a glance and immediately prostrated themselves on the ground, kneeling down completely.
Jiang Wen quickly stepped forward to help him up, while Huang Liang gratefully said to Jiang Wen, "Hero Jiang, we are deeply grateful. If it weren't for you, my brother and I would probably be dead by now."
"Young man, you flatter me."
Jiang Wen waved his hand, "We are all fellow martial artists, and we once helped each other on Jizu Mountain, so it is only right that I lend a helping hand. How are you feeling now? Does your wound still hurt?"
"I'm much better lately."
Jian Fu continued, his voice still a little hoarse, "For a while, I felt weak all over, and... and my mind was always a mess. Those nightmares felt so real."
Jiang Wen's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "What did you all dream about?"
When the topic of nightmares came up, Huang Liang and Jian Fu both showed expressions of lingering fear, and their bodies involuntarily shrank back.
"To be honest, Master Jiang, we've been having nightmares for almost two months now, and we've suffered for quite some time..."
Huang Liang replied with a bitter smile, "Ever since we escaped from the shady side of Jizu Mountain, we've been plagued by nightmares. Every night, as soon as we close our eyes, we dream that we're being chased and bitten by invisible evil spirits, and we can't escape no matter how hard we try. Every time we wake up, the wounds on our bodies look real, and the situation is getting worse and worse."
"Yes."
Jian Fu nodded and continued, "Abbot Anren said that we were possessed by evil thoughts and demonic ideas from Shanyin, and ordinary methods were useless. He told us that Wuyi Mountain is a blessed land, and that Master Jiang has a deep affinity with Buddhism, so perhaps he can dispel the evil spirits on us. Therefore, he told us to come here to seek refuge with you."
Jiang Wen didn't need to think to feel that things were a bit strange—how was the difference between this and the doctor's three-part rhetoric about Bian Que?
Moreover, the evil thoughts and demonic ideas in the shadows of Jizu Mountain have clearly been purified by me after the epic battle on Huashou Chongyan. Could it be that they have accumulated so many again so soon after the purification?
Jiang Wen couldn't figure out Anren Shangren's intentions, nor did he know if he mistakenly thought that he, the future Buddha, was so useful.
"Did Master Anren really say that?"
Huang Liang nodded and said, "That's right. Abbot Anren also said that the one who tied the knot must untie it. Our fate is not to end, so we cannot escape fortune and misfortune. We are destined to go through this."
Jian Fu added, "Master Pin Zhao also came to inquire. He said that his clan has a secret method that allows one to entrust one's life to the Third Kingdom of Jade Dragon. Using poison to fight poison might delay the illness for a while—that's how my brother and I were able to persevere and reach Wuyi Mountain."
Jiang Wen suddenly shuddered and understood the meaning behind Master Anren's words!
If there is any cause and effect between Huang Liang and Jian Fu and myself, it is that I had the two great bodhisattvas, Manjushri and Samantabhadra, resurrect them.
Although his purpose was to plan a counterattack against the Prince of Pingnan's mansion, this cause and effect had been sown in a real way. Judging from what Master Anren said, could it be that these two people were tainted by something indescribable during their resurrection?
Venerable Anren is a reincarnation of an Arhat, and an Arhat's self-sacrifice naturally receives divine protection; the young monk Pinzhao was originally someone whose life was extended, his fate already bound to the Misty Road and the Green Kingdom, making him uncontrollable by other evil spirits; and neither he nor Luo Shuang'er showed any abnormalities, perhaps related to his having forcibly donned the Buddha's sanghati robe—
But these two don't seem to be so lucky.
Jiang Wen even had a worse guess: perhaps the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas hiding in the Huayan World really did, as Zhao Wuji said, transform into something terrifying after just one glance at the source of all phenomena, which is why the "blessing of immortality" also became a "curse of the living"...
"After you arrived in Wuyishan, has the situation improved?" Jiang Wen asked.
Jian Fu shook his head, his fear deepening: "We rushed here day and night, but instead of getting better, it's...it's gotten even worse!"
"As soon as we entered the territory of Wuyi Mountain, the attacks became more intense. Before, we would only dream of wounds at night, but later, even during the day, if we were slightly distracted, we would feel someone cutting us."
"Moreover, our dreams have changed."
Huang Liang took a deep breath and slowly said, "We no longer dream of being chased by invisible evil spirits, but dream of falling into the belly of a great mountain. It is incredibly large inside, with bookshelves everywhere, filled with all kinds of martial arts classics, dazzling and countless."
"We were stunned. Just as we were about to go up and grab a book to take a look, we suddenly felt someone staring at us... When we looked up, we saw what seemed to be a person standing on the mountaintop!"
Jian Fu continued, his voice still trembling slightly, "That person was wearing disheveled clothes, with no expression on his face. He just stood there motionless, silently watching us. His gaze was terrifying; it made us feel cold all over, and we couldn't even move."
"Just then, a crack suddenly appeared in the sky."
The two men's voices carried a hint of relief as they said, "A beam of light shone out from the crack and landed right on us. Then, we felt our feet slip and we plummeted into the abyss. We woke up to find ourselves lying on the floor of the Sanqing Hall. It was you, Master Jiang, and Master Yuanhua who saved us."
After hearing their story, the room fell into a deathly silence.
Jiang Wen's expression turned extremely solemn. He slowly stood up, gazing at the misty Great King Peak outside the window, his heart churning with turbulent emotions.
Their descriptions were very similar to what Zhou Long said before he fell into a coma, and seemed to be related to the secret of the Green Ox Taoist statue. But the problem is that it was impossible for the two of them to have come into contact with the Green Ox Taoist statue, so why did they have the same dream as Zhou Long?
If the "Langhuan Blessed Land" could exist independently of the Green Ox Taoist statue, the destructive power of that single event would be far more terrifying than he imagined, enough to make Jiang Wen wary, and even unable to care about the martial arts treasure trove hidden in the belly of the mountain, or what the terrifying old Taoist standing on the mountaintop really was...
"Master, your disciple is hungry. Grandpa Ye in the kitchen said that we can only eat when you return."
Jiang Wen awoke from his chaotic thoughts, and the turbulent waves in his eyes subsided instantly, as if they had never existed. Looking down, he saw a round head and eyes. Little Stone had moved closer at some point and was tugging at Jiang Wen's clothes.
He looked down at the little stone with its upturned face and innocent eyes, his face warm with warmth. "Yes, it was Master's oversight. He forgot the time."
Then Jiang Wen glanced at the sky and said with a straight face, "No, it's only 4:45 AM at most. You're the only one who gets hungry so quickly."
Jiang Wen pointed at his forehead with exasperation, but still helplessly called to the other disciples, and the group walked together toward the Tongtian Hall, muttering to themselves.
"After noon, none of you are allowed to run away. I will personally teach you to read the Book of Songs. It won't do for your academic studies to fall behind so early."
"Oh……"
Little Stone remained depressed, feeling like his meal was about to fly away.
"What's there to be discouraged about? Our Wuyi Sect is a prestigious sect that is meant to be passed down for generations. From now on, no one will be allowed to eat if they don't learn it."
"Master, Master, if I already knew how to do it, would I have been able to eat my senior brother's share of the meal?"
Fu Ningdie immediately perked up.
"Give his portion to Hu Fei. Your senior brother is already stupid, and you're still bullying him. You're never this eager to chop wood or jump into the water when we ask you to—go and get food for your senior brothers."
“Master, I will definitely keep an eye on my junior sister’s work from now on.”
Hong Wending felt responsible and quickly took the initiative to share his master's burdens.
"Okay, that's great! Oh, by the way, remember to call Ake out for dinner. The other day, we weren't paying attention, and she missed two meals without anyone noticing. How can someone have such a low profile..."
Whether the Wuyi Sect will prevail with their might and swords, or suffer a crushing defeat on Great King Peak and become a laughing stock, will be revealed tomorrow. Jiang Wen, however, felt no tension whatsoever. He simply smiled as he watched the disciples playing around in the hall.
"Hurry up and eat. This afternoon, instead of starting with 'Guan Guan Jujiu,' we'll learn 'Zhou Song Tian Zuo' first."