Chapter 22
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“Token?”
The Daoist froze for a moment, then hurriedly lifted his robes, grabbing the wooden token and tearing it off.
He bent over, holding the token above his head with both hands, trembling as he said_ “If the immortal elder desires it, please, please take it.”
Tao Taigong raised his hand, drawing the token over with a gesture.
He turned it over a few times, inspecting it, and said:
“This is a token from the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance]. How did you come to possess it?”
The old Daoist remained bent over, still holding his hands as if presenting the token, speaking cautiously and humbly:
“This humble Daoist… no, this humble one acquired it about ten years ago while traveling in Lizhou.”
“At that time, I came across a young man setting up a stall, and I exchanged some gold for the token…”
Tao Taigong chuckled, casually remarking: “The [Mingzhen Dao Alliance] is no small power. Anyone able to obtain this token wouldn’t be ignorant of its value. You expect us to believe it was just sold at a street stall? If that’s the case, I suspect his family elders will have quite a word with him when he returns.”
The old Daoist laughed nervously, unwilling to give a proper answer.
All he could do was force a smile.
But Qi Wuhuo had already discerned the truth from this exchange.
It was likely that ten years ago, this Daoist had encountered a young man of low cultivation in Lizhou holding this token. Greed overtook him, and he committed a robbery and murder to claim it. Fearing retaliation from the other party’s elders, he had fled all the way to Zhongzhou.
Qi Wuhuo looked toward the God of Fortune and Virtue and asked: “Tao Taigong, do you recognize this token?”
The elder nodded and said: “I’ve seen it a few times.”
He placed the token on the table, stroking his beard thoughtfully, and continued: “Daoist Master Qi, you may already know that in matters of cultivation, there are three thousand paths to the Dao. Even within the orthodox sects of Daoism, with their long-standing traditions, each sect has its own unique lineages and inheritances, spread across different regions. In cultivation, numerous resources are needed, and sometimes relying solely on one sect’s methods in a particular area isn’t enough to gather these resources quickly.”
“Furthermore, due to differences in personal enlightenment and experiences, even if the source comes from the same lineage of Daoist scriptures and teachings, their teachings often evolve into different styles over time. The opportunity for communication between these varying styles is beneficial for deepening one’s understanding of the Dao. Initially, for these reasons, loose organizations gradually formed outside of sects and lineages.”
“As time passed, these loose organizations gradually collected scriptures, nurtured their core members, and formed their own influence.”
“This [Mingzhen Dao Alliance] is one such group.”
“They follow the principle of [Illuminating the Truth(Mingzhen) to Break Illusions, Striving Toward the Great Dao]. In their cultivation, their focus is on [The Spirit Can Reach The Heavens, Commanding the Winds and Thunder].”
“They have profound insights when it comes to cultivating the Primordial Spirit.”
Qi Wuhuo repeated: “Mingzhen Dao Alliance…”
He picked up the token, feeling its weight in his hand. It seemed both like wood and not, with a darkened hue. At its center was a talisman formed by cloud patterns, resembling a lightning serpent that lit up the gloom, exuding a faint spiritual essence. The patterns on it were identical to the ones he had seen on banners during his past encounters in the Demon Kingdom. Only this one was smaller, with flowing cloud patterns, while the other was larger and faintly carried the aura of thunder.
He remembered this cloud-patterned talisman vividly.
And just as clearly, he remembered the gentleman who had waved his hand in farewell before walking into the vegetable market.
Tao Taigong stroked his beard and asked with curiosity: “Why is Daoist Master Qi so focused on this?”
Qi Wuhuo put the Mingzhen Dao Alliance token down.
He recounted the events from several years ago. As he spoke, the expressions of the several Gods of Fortune and Virtue gradually turned solemn.
They exchanged glances before Luo Yizhen, the Land Deity, spoke: “The calamity in Jinzhou back then—we had heard of it.”
“But it was far from here, and as Land Deities, we cannot leave our respective territories. If we do, we cannot mobilize the energy of the Earth Veins, and our strength is significantly weakened.”
“So, we didn’t know much about it.”
“We regret that we cannot offer much help, but from what I understand, this matter likely has no direct connection to the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance].”
Luo Yizhen explained further:
“The [Mingzhen Dao Alliance], while not considered a part of the orthodox sects, also isn’t one of the evil paths.”
“They mostly pursue profit and cultivation, without much interest in things like killing, refining souls, etc. However, it’s inevitable that every sect has its share of scum and degenerates. Regarding this matter, I can only say that the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance] wouldn’t have been the driving force. Most likely, their presence there was due to some involvement driven by profit.”
“Forces like the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance] generally keep records of their involvement in such events.”
“If Daoist Master Qi truly wishes to pursue this matter further.”
“In the future, you can go visit once or twice
Land Deity Shen, dressed in brown robes, placed his wine cup down and suddenly let out a cold laugh:
“No rotten apples in the Mingzhen Dao Alliance? That’s something you can’t be too sure of—just look at the Daoist before us.”
The gaze of everyone present shifted toward the old Daoist.
He couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment in his heart.
Why are they dragging me back into this?!
The Tiger Mountain God raised his hand, and the jade scroll inscribed with his name flew up, landing in his hand. The Mountain God caressed the jade scroll for a while before suddenly asking: “Who is Tantai Guochu to you?”
A flicker of joy appeared in the old Daoist’s eyes, and he kowtowed, saying:
“This humble one’s name is Tantai Xuan. The Sword Immortal Ziyu, Tantai Guochu, is my grandfather”
The tiger murmured: “…So, you are a descendant of an old acquaintance.”
He raised his hand again, and from the black iron sword box, a long sword flew out, landing in his palm. He grasped it in his right hand, and with his left, he ran two fingers along the blade. The sword hummed loudly, and a faint expression of reminiscence appeared on his face. Just as Tantai Xuan’s eyes began to show a glimmer of hope, the Tiger Mountain God spoke quietly: “A pity, a great pity.”
Tantai Xuan sensed the killing intent, his scalp tingling, feeling as though his soul might scatter at any moment.
The tiger said: “You’ve ultimately walked the path of evil, refining the lifespans of the living to extend your own.”
“You deserve to die.”
Tantai Xuan’s body trembled violently. In the face of impending death, he grasped at the last thread of hope, thinking of how the Mountain God had treated Qi Wuhuo earlier. Seizing his final chance, he dropped to his knees and cried out: “Immortal Qi! Immortal Qi! I’m a member of the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance]! I know the higher-ups within the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance]—they surely have records related to the Jinzhou calamity from five years ago. Spare my life, please spare my life! I’m willing to atone for my sins, to redeem myself!”
“I’m useful! Very useful!”
The tiger frowned, instinctively turning his gaze toward Qi Wuhuo.
Tao Taigong and the other two Gods of Fortune and Virtue followed suit, looking toward him as well.
Qi Wuhuo gazed at the old Daoist, who had crawled on his knees before him, pleading desperately. The Daoist kowtowed repeatedly, saying:
“I’ve never harmed innocent people—it was always the greedy ones. I bought their lives with gold… I know I’ve strayed onto an evil path, but I just wanted to survive. Even if I must die, there’s no rush to kill me right now. I can help you uncover the truth of what happened back then! My life is worthless, insignificant, but it shouldn’t be compared to the great task you have at hand.”
“To kill someone as lowly as me, and risk affecting your greater goals—wouldn’t that be too much of a loss?”
“Ancient sages once said, those who truly wield power see neither black nor white, only what is useful and what is not.”
“You are a wise gentleman—you should understand the concept of [Mingling with the dust of the world]”
“I’ve lived for over a hundred years, knowing full well that I’ll never reach the realm of True Person. All I want is to live a little longer,”
“If you find me untrustworthy, I’m willing to divide part of my Primordial Spirit and give it to you for control. I would never betray you. I have already mastered the ability to ride the qi and move swiftly, and I have control over spells and divine abilities. If I were to go to an ordinary provincial city, I could also establish a lineage of cultivation. But now, I am willing to be your servant and serve you.”
Tantai Xuan’s words were logical.
The blue-robed youth bent forward, as if to help him up. A glimmer of hope returned to Tantai Xuan’s aged face, forming into a flattering smile. But in an instant, a cold light flashed across his face.
The dagger he carried with him pierced through Tantai Xuan’s throat, stabbing from the front and emerging from the back of his neck.
The old Daoist’s eyes widened in shock.
It was as if he couldn’t fathom that someone would reject the offer of a slave who understood divine powers. He froze, and only after a moment did the searing pain set in, causing his body to tremble. His throat gurgled as blood flowed out, yet his strong vitality kept him alive for a moment longer.
His furious gaze met only the calm, deep, and undisturbed eyes of the blue-robed youth.
Qi Wuhuo offered no reply.
It was as if his words weren’t even worth refuting.
He merely pierced the dagger deeper inside.
Tantai Xuan’s struggles weakened, and his voice became garbled: “You… you’ll regret killing me!”
Qi Wuhuo pulled the dagger out with a reverse grip.
“I won’t.” He answered simply.
Tantai Xuan’s eyes lost focus. He clutched his throat as he collapsed.
His legs twitched a few times before going still.
Qi Wuhuo’s blue robe was stained with blood. It was the first time he killed someone in reality, different from in his dreams. Steadying himself, he turned to the Mountain God, cupping his hands in apology:
“Forgive me for killing one of your old acquaintances.”
The Mountain God shook his head and said: “I was planning to kill him myself.”
Tao Taigong and the other two Land Deities exchanged glances before smiling and politely excusing themselves, saying they had matters to attend to and would take their leave.
They rushed straight out, traveling several miles away to where they caught the last remaining fragment of Tantai Xuan’s soul. He then directly refined and wore it away with the turbid qi from the most impure parts of the Earth’s Veins. The always kind and gentle Tao Taigong remarked: “His temperament is not bad, he’s a good child. But his cultivation experience is lacking. He doesn’t know that the souls of cultivators from the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance] can escape.”
“Although this soul is just a small trace of spiritual essence and no longer has any memory, it still needs to be completely destroyed, ground to dust.”
Land Deity Shen added with admiration: “For evil cultivators like him, it’s best to eliminate him thoroughly.”
The three Gods of Fortune and Virtue then performed a ritual on the spot
Reporting to the Nine Heavens, and reporting to the Underworld
Even the last trace of old Daoist’s evil qi and resentment was utterly eradicated.
With as many as three Gods of Fortune and Virtue blessings.
Let alone reincarnation, even becoming a vengeful ghost is impossible.
After Qi Wuhuo had killed the old Daoist Tantai, he stood lost in thought for a long while, his mind returning to the events of five years ago.
Just as he was about to take his leave, the Mountain God suddenly said: “There’s something I’d like to ask for your opinion on, Wuhuo.”
Qi Wuhuo inquired curiously.
The tiger smiled and said: “I may soon break through.”
“I’ll be traveling freely among the lands.”
“When that time comes, would you be willing to take over my position as Mountain God?”