Chapter 182: The Past and Present, a World Apart

Liang Xi, who was splattered with a considerable amount of blood, muttered to himself, “How could this be? How could this be? A single Third-Leaf spiritual talisman killed all of them. Just how weak are these mortals?” Although Liang Xi, with his First-Leaf cultivation, could not have withstood the power of a Third-Leaf talisman, he at least would not have been blown into a pile of minced meat like this. Compared to a cultivator, the bodies of these ferocious bandits were as fragile as tofu.

The new disciples on horseback were all in a daze. Was this the difference between an immortal and a mortal?

In the crowd, Prince Li Si, who had witnessed this scene, was even more dumbfounded. So this was the power of a High Immortal of the Taichu Sect. He had only heard tales of their strength before, with no real concept of it in his mind. Now, seeing how a single immortal art could turn more than twenty ferocious bandits into minced meat—and this was just a new disciple whose cultivation was not even considered strong—how powerful must an expert like Hall Master Ximen Sheng be? Could he truly, as the legends said, have the ability to overturn rivers and seas? At this thought, Li Si’s heart pounded with fear.

Before, when he had heard people speak of how powerful the Taichu Sect was, having never seen true immortal arts, he had not paid it much mind. But this time, after feeling the immortal might of the Sect Master in the Taichu Grand Hall and now witnessing the power of an ordinary disciple’s spiritual art, the feeling of his own insignificance grew ever stronger, and he felt the vast gap between himself and these cultivators more keenly than ever.

Looking at the ground covered in minced meat, Ximen Sheng, sitting on his horse, sneered. He said to Li Jing and Zhang Yang beside him, “You see? This is the difference between an immortal and a mortal. This is the power of a cultivator! Immortals will always be above mortals. Cultivators are the most powerful beings between heaven and earth. As long as you earnestly comprehend this difference during this period, attaining the Dao in the future will be a simple matter.”

Li Jing and Zhang Yang both bowed and acknowledged his words.

Just then, the villagers who had been bound all knelt on the ground, calling the group of Taichu disciples “High Immortals,” their heads knocking against the ground like garlic being pounded. “Thank you, High Immortals, for saving our lives. When we return, we will surely erect a monument and offer incense to you day and night.”

Seeing this scene, Qin Haoxuan sighed to himself. If he had not entered the Taichu Sect, he would now be just like them, looking up to these cultivators with awe. Since he began cultivating these past seven months, he had always compared himself to the seniors and experts of the sect, feeling that he was just a novice. He had not yet truly seen himself as a so-called “High Immortal,” thinking of himself as merely a mortal who was slightly stronger than others. But now, compared to these true mortals, he finally understood that he was already a “High Immortal,” no longer a humble commoner.

The difference between an immortal and a mortal was as vast as this.

The villagers looked up at these High Immortals with reverence and awe. According to their simple customs, after having their entire village saved, they should invite their saviors back to be hosted with great hospitality. But they were just humble villagers. They had no power to resist against wandering swordsmen or fierce bandits. Now, seeing these High Immortals who could kill bandits with a wave of their hand, what other thoughts could they have besides kowtowing?

Zhang Yang looked at the bloody scene and the kowtowing mortals with great excitement, his heart pounding. A weak seed at the First-Leaf was this powerful. If he had been the one to act, wouldn’t these bandits have been turned into a fine paste? It was a pity they were all dead now; he had no chance to try his hand. He thought to himself, Next time something like this happens, I must try it myself.

While Zhang Yang was excited, Li Jing watched everything with a calm and composed expression, his eyes as still as an ancient well, indifferent to the scene before him, as if the kowtowing figures were not people, but a swarm of ants. Seeing his calm demeanor, Ximen Sheng was very satisfied. He had been tasked not only with protecting Li Jing but also with building a good relationship with him and pulling him into the Jade Bamboo Hall. The better Li Jing performed, the happier he was.

Li Si’s gaze shifted to Li Jing. Before, he had not paid him much mind. In a way, Li Jing coming to the Taichu Sect to cultivate meant that he was a loser in the struggle for imperial power. But from his interactions with the disciples these past few days, it was clear that Li Jing held a high position in the sect and was the center of attention among the new disciples. Even the leading elder, Ximen Sheng, held him in high regard.

Before, Li Si had not witnessed the power of cultivators, so he had never taken this nephew of his seriously. But after seeing their strength, his perspective had been completely overturned. Even if the crown prince were to ascend to the throne, he would be nothing compared to Li Jing, who was now a cultivator and highly valued by the Taichu Sect. In that moment, his perception of Li Jing was completely transformed. He believed that in the future, Li Jing would be far more successful. He immediately lowered his own status and, putting on a smile, rode his horse to Li Jing’s side. “Imperial Nephew,” he said with a laugh, “these past few days of travel have been tiring. I have some ginseng slices here. Would you care for some?”

Li Jing’s expression was indifferent as he shot him a cold glance. Although Li Si was his imperial uncle, since he had begun cultivating, he had not paid him much heed. Especially since Li Si was aligned with the crown prince and had always been lukewarm towards him. To suddenly try and curry favor now, he must have seen that his future prospects might be better than the crown prince’s. “Li Si, I have no use for such things. You can keep them for yourself,” he said coolly. “My elder imperial brother, the crown prince, how has he been lately?”

“He is well, but how can he compare to my worthy nephew, who is flourishing in the sect of the High Immortals?” Li Si said with a broad smile. Being addressed directly by his nephew’s name made him very unhappy, but he remembered the subservient manner of the other disciples in front of him and knew that Li Jing had done very well for himself these past few months. To have such limitless prospects in the world of cultivation, how terrifying would his future development be? Li Si, who was from the royal family and skilled in calculation, quickly understood this point and became even more determined to befriend him.

Seeing Li Si’s lowered posture, Li Jing appeared calm and natural on the surface, but inwardly he was celebrating. His choice to walk the path of cultivation had indeed been the right one. Otherwise, he would have just been a failed prince in the struggle for power.

His cold gaze swept over Li Si, and he suddenly thought of his elder brother, the crown prince. A contemptuous sneer touched his lips as he thought to himself, Just wait until I return to the imperial capital. I will show you. I may have failed in the struggle for imperial power, but I will let you know that cultivating is far better than being an emperor! If I can become the supreme Sect Master of the Taichu Sect, so what if you become the emperor? When you see me, won’t you have to kneel and kowtow, calling me a High Immortal and paying homage? And all those who bullied me in the past, just you wait!

As they were each lost in their own thoughts, Ximen Sheng waved his hand, not even deigning to glance at the kowtowing commoners. He gave an emotionless order, “Continue forward.”

The Taichu disciples spurred their horses and followed him, continuing on at a leisurely pace.

After they had left, the kowtowing commoners finally stood up, staring in a daze at their departing backs. Although these High Immortals had not even looked at them, the subtle air of an immortal that they exuded was something that could not be faked. It filled these mortal commoners with envy. If only I could become a ‘High Immortal’ like them, they thought.

Just as the commoners were sighing with shock and emotion, a few of the more quick-witted ones had a thought: Our Qingfeng County has been haunted lately, and the county magistrate has been urgently seeking capable individuals to drive away the evil. If we tell him the news of these High Immortals, and they resolve the county’s disaster, won’t that be a great merit?

Instantly, the commoners scattered, some running towards their village, others towards the county town.

The Taichu disciples were moving slowly, and before long, the excited and frantic commoners had overtaken them. Several villagers, their clothes tattered and their bodies covered in wounds, ran to the county yamen. For people of their humble status, the only way to see the county magistrate was to beat the grievance drum, so they did so without hesitation.

A yamen runner came out with a displeased look on his face. He glared at the tattered and wounded villagers and scolded, “If you’ve had your fill, then roll back home to your wives. What trouble are you causing here?”

One of the villagers quickly replied, “Officer, officer, we are not causing trouble. Our entire village was captured by bandits. On the main road, we met a group of High Immortals. Out of their great compassion, they saved all of us. With a single spell, they turned more than twenty ferocious bandits into a pile of minced meat! Isn’t our county haunted? We rushed here to inform the lord magistrate.”

Although the yamen runner felt this was absurd, he saw that these simple villagers did not seem to be lying. And if this matter were true, and he helped the magistrate resolve the troublesome issue of the fierce ghost, it would be a great merit. The magistrate would be pleased and would surely reward him handsomely.

“Is what you say true?”

“It’s true, officer. I am willing to guarantee it with my own head.”

The last bit of doubt in the yamen runner’s heart was dispelled. In this day and age, no commoner dared to make a fool of the government, and they certainly wouldn’t dare to lie about the high and mighty immortals. He hurriedly went inside to report to the worried magistrate.

Hearing the news, the magistrate’s spirits lifted. “Is what you say true?”

The yamen runner’s expression turned solemn. “I guarantee it with my own head.”

The magistrate’s expression was slightly stunned for a moment, then a look of joy spread across his face. He said to the yamen runner, who was still standing there in a daze, “What are you standing there for? Go and prepare my sedan chair!”

…

The team of Taichu disciples had been traveling for another half an hour when a sedan chair came rushing towards them from a distance. The chair-bearers were running at an incredible speed, all of them drenched in sweat, and from time to time, an anxious face would peek out from the window.

When the person in the chair saw the team of “High Immortals” approaching on horseback, his expression immediately tensed, and he urgently ordered the bearers to stop. The moment they did, the person inside drilled out. He was of medium height and wore the light-blue robes of a government official; he must have been the county magistrate of Qingfeng.

He stood in the middle of the road, properly adjusted his official hat and robes, and respectfully knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed piously against the dusty road, not daring to even breathe too loudly. He remained there until the group from the Taichu Sect drew near, and then he began to kowtow like he was pounding garlic.

“The magistrate of Qingfeng County, Xu Chang, kowtows and pays his respects to the High Immortals.”

Xu Chang’s voice trembled slightly as he continuously kowtowed, not daring to lift his head to look at the people on horseback.

Seeing this subservient county magistrate, Qin Haoxuan and the others were once again filled with emotion. Before, when they had been commoners, they had been the ones kneeling and kowtowing before these officials. If they had angered them in the slightest, they would have been thrown into prison and beaten. They were as pitiful as ants. Now, the venerable parent official of an entire county was kneeling and kowtowing before them. If he were to displease them, they could kill him with a single spiritual art, and no one would dare to come to the Taichu Sect to make trouble for them. In their eyes, an official of the mortal world was also just an ant.