Daoist Competition

Rong Junzhong stretched out his hand and tapped downwards a few times, smiling faintly as he said, "After today’s bout of fighting, our Xuanyue has already surpassed Zhongtai by more than a single measure. Now that we have gained the aid of these people as well, come tomorrow, we can press down openly and righteously. If Zhongtai refuses to comply, under such overwhelming momentum, we will see it ground into dust."

Yang Shuyong could not stop himself from laughing loudly.

Chunyu Ji was also filled with emotion; Rong Junzhong had seized precisely upon those cultivators’ instinct to seek profit and avoid harm—first splitting Zhongtai apart, then seizing the opportunity to gather people over. This method was by no means ordinary.

Tomorrow, when they assembled dozens of cultivators to press forward together, he asked himself that if their positions were reversed, he likely would not even have the heart to resist.

At this moment he suddenly recalled a matter and asked in puzzlement, "Why is that Daoist Zhang not among those people?"

Rong Junzhong cast him a sidelong glance and said, "There is nothing strange in this. Since he knows of Shen Baishuang’s enmity with our Xuanyue, how could he walk into the net of his own accord? Since he is willing to be buried together with Zhongtai, then tomorrow we may as well deal with him along with the rest."

Ancestor Hui Xuan departed Mianxing Mountain all the way out; Qu Changzhi had long been waiting outside and came forward to greet him, saying, "Master, your disciple has been guarding this place all along and has not seen any unusual signs."

Ancestor Hui Xuan inclined his head slightly. Being a cautious man, he had not laid any devices outside the mountain in order to guard against Xuanyue Sect. Before entering the mountain, he had placed Qu Changzhi outside to respond. He said, "The matter I ordered you to handle—has it been properly arranged?"

Qu Changzhi hurriedly said, "Your disciple has opened up a Cave Mansion thirty li away. The terrain is well concealed; if one does not deliberately search, they assuredly will not be able to detect it."

Ancestor Hui Xuan gave his approval and said, "Not badly done. After this matter is concluded, you need no longer hide and flee everywhere outside; return to the Cave Mansion and cultivate."

Qu Changzhi was overwhelmed with emotion. When Ancestor Hui Xuan had said he was expelling him from the sect, that had not been false; he understood it was only because of greater matters that it had to be so. Now that he was willing to bring him back within the sect gates, he would no longer have to drift about outside. He immediately knelt, weeping as he said, "This disciple kowtows in thanks for Master’s great kindness."

Ancestor Hui Xuan nodded and said, "Lead the way ahead."

Qu Changzhi hurriedly rose and said, "Master, please follow your disciple."

The two of them together rose in their tunneling light, and after traveling not far, they arrived before the Cave Mansion Qu Changzhi had mentioned.

This place lay in a recess of the mountain wall; outside, weeds grew thick, branches and leaves covered it, and those passing by here would find it hard to notice.

Hui Xuan looked it over and was also satisfied. He entered the inner chamber, swept his gaze once around, and, after confirming that no outsiders had been here, shook his sleeve. A wisp of white smoke came out, layer upon layer, rising until it was as tall as a man, then suddenly dispersed, revealing Luo Dongchuan’s figure.

Ancestor Hui Xuan said, "Luo Daoist, Zhongtai has already been driven into a desperate situation. Whether the matter succeeds or not, we will know by tonight."

Luo Dongchuan took out a Jade Token, examined it briefly, and said, "No token message has come, so it seems Qiao Huanjuan has not yet made up his mind. But that is no great matter. When I came out this time, the Ancestor bestowed a Dharma Talisman upon me, with the ability to pass through formations and break prohibitions. Once Xuanyue launches its attack tomorrow, my aunt will respond from within, and we can then rescue the entire Zhongtai group."

Qu Changzhi was somewhat puzzled and said, "Elder Luo, if Zhongtai is unwilling to join hands with us, would doing this not be a wasted effort?"

Luo Dongchuan gave a chuckle and said, "If we have done this, how do you think the Southern Three Sects will view it?"

Qu Changzhi thought for a moment and said, "They will surely say that Zhongtai is in collusion with the Python Clan..."

At this point he suddenly paused, a strange expression appearing on his face, as if he had just understood something.

Luo Dongchuan laughed heartily and said, "Exactly. Ever since the two sects fought, the Southern Three Sects have had the intention of extending their hand into the Northern lands, but they have always lacked a pretext, that is all. Since none exists, I will provide one. At that time, whether it is or is not so will no longer matter; I am not afraid Qiao Huanjuan will refuse to give in."

Qu Changzhi had not expected they would use such a method. When he thought it over carefully, as long as this matter was accomplished, Zhongtai would be virtually unable to defend itself with any argument. This stratagem of dragging others into the water seemed shameless, yet was highly effective. He did not know how he ought to evaluate it and could only sigh, "Extraordinary means for extraordinary men."

Ancestor Hui Xuan said, "Since this is the case, I imagine tomorrow will have nothing more to do with my disciple and me. Let us part ways with fellow Daoist here."

Luo Dongchuan, however, stopped him and said, "No need to be hasty. Zhongtai is, after all, to be our clan’s ally in the future. If its strength is too heavily diminished, that would also be unseemly. After we rescue them tomorrow, should we encounter Xuanyue’s pursuit and killing, I will still need fellow Daoist to step forward and obstruct them to some extent. Saving a few will count as a few."

How could Ancestor Hui Xuan not know that this was to keep him from standing aside? Yet so long as he obtained what he wanted, all else were minor details. His expression calm, he said, "So be it."

The night passed quickly.

At dawn the next day, Xuanyue again sent out a Disciple, who came beneath the Pu Lao Flying Car and bowed, saying, "Sect Leader Qiao, Yang Sect Master has sent this disciple to ask whether Zhongtai is willing to concede. So long as Sect Leader Qiao and Elder Yan are willing to submit and let themselves be captured, our Xuanyue will by no means hold the others to account."