Daoist Competition

Yan Yuqing sighed and said, "As your mother sees it, it is certainly a good thing that True Master Zhang has returned this time and will again dispatch disciples to garrison here, but this First Seat’s position will sooner or later be handed over to one of his own sect. I fear there may be reversals then, and in the end it will not be very secure."

Yan Xiaoyang, on hearing this, felt the same. With Zhang Yan here, the next hundred years should pass without hindrance, but once he goes to Du Zhen Hall, the one who succeeds his post may not necessarily continue to support their small sect. He too frowned and said, "This is indeed something we cannot ignore. What does Mother think should be done?"

Yan Yuqing said, "I have heard that True Master Zhang has five disciples, and Jiang Zheng has formed a marriage alliance with Shan Huizhen of Peng Yuan Sect. The Demon Sect has ravaged the seas for many years; Peng Yuan is powerless to contend and can only shut its doors and defend bitterly. Yet after True Master Zhang returned from the Outer Continent, the very first thing he did was to go to Peng Yuan to relieve his disciple’s predicament. If your mother were to betroth your elder sister to True Master Zhang’s disciple..."

Yan Xiaoyang, hearing this, leapt up, shouting in agitation, "What, betroth Elder Sister away?"

Yan Yuqing said displeased, "What are you shouting for?"

Yan Xiaoyang’s face flushed red. A vague emotion surged in his heart, something like humiliation, something like unwillingness. He ground his teeth and said, "To betroth Elder Sister away, I will never consent."

Yan Yuqing knitted her brows and said, "Matters within Bi Yu Xuan are naturally decided by your mother. Since when was it your turn to speak?"

Yan Xiyue, however, did not object. She only said quietly, "Since Mother says so, I imagine there is already a suitable candidate?"

Yan Yuqing stepped up, took her daughter’s hand, patted it, and said, "The sixth disciple under True Master Zhang, Han Zuocheng, likewise has Hua Dan Cultivation. If this matter can be concluded, it would not count as a grievance to you."

Yan Xiyue thought it over carefully and said, "Mother’s words are reasonable. I only fear that those under Zhao You Sect may look down on us for being of small sect origin."

Yan Yuqing smiled and said, "If your mother had no confidence, how could I speak carelessly? I have already inquired: this sixth disciple of True Master Zhang delights in using strange birds and Exotic Beasts in battle and has reached the point of obsession. He keeps many unusual species in his own Cave Mansion. The founding Ancestor master of our Bi Yu Xuan was originally a Nanhua Disciple, and this Beast Taming and Demon Suppressing Technique was obtained in its orthodox form. We can take this method as dowry and present it."

Yan Xiyue lightly inclined her delicate head and said, "Your daughter will rely wholly on Mother’s decision."

Yan Xiaoyang stared blankly, somewhat incredulous, and said, "Elder Sister, are you truly going to agree?"

Yan Xiyue said earnestly, "Little Brother, if Bi Yu Xuan can attach itself to Zhang Yan’s disciples, it is equivalent to forming good relations with the Zhao You lineage. Do you understand?"

Yan Yuqing praised, "It is still Yue’er who understands propriety."

Now, within the Zhao You Heavenly Pond lineage, even not counting Zhang Yan himself, two of his disciples have already achieved Nascent Soul, and his second disciple has been in seclusion for several decades; it is rumored he too has hopes of a breakthrough. It is hard to say that another True Master will not emerge. If they do not seize the chance to establish a connection before other sects react, they may well have no such opportunity in the future.

At this moment, deep within the Cave Mansion, Zhao You Disciple Jin Honglian was sitting cross-legged, his head propped on his hand, dozing atop a cushion. Just then he heard a bell ringing; he started involuntarily, lifted his eyes, and saw Han Zuocheng leading in a Bai Xi. He could not help but widen his eyes in surprise and said, "Master, this Bai Xi’s harness and saddle are all complete. It must have had a master before. Could it be that Master simply led it away in passing?"

Han Zuo said discontentedly, "Cease your nonsense. How could your teacher be such a person? This Bai Xi is True Master Tao’s mount, temporarily placed with your grandmaster. It is only because your grandmaster saw that I am skilled at raising Strange Beasts that he entrusted it to my care."

Jin Honglian gave a ’hehe’ laugh, revealing an expression of ’so that’s how it is.’

Han Zuocheng was a casual sort by nature, and in daily life he possessed none of the airs of a strict mentor, never forcing his disciple to be this or that. Thus the relationship between master and disciple was quite harmonious, and they often exchanged jesting words.

Han Zuocheng removed the halter from Bai Xi’s mouth, but suddenly caught a whiff of wine. He asked in surprise, "Do you enjoy drinking?"

Bai Xi shook its body and bellowed, "You lad do have some discernment. Each day it must be five vats of wine, not a single drop less, or else this Cave Mansion of yours may not remain so stable!"

Han Zuocheng’s expression turned somewhat odd. He glanced toward the water pond in the mansion, then shook his head and said, "Another drunkard." Turning, he instructed Jin Honglian, "Go to my storehouse and bring five vats of fine wine."

Jin Honglian had followed him for a long time; he had seen all manner of Demons with strange tempers and was long since inured to it. He agreed with a word and headed toward the back house.

Just then a Maid entered to report, "Master, Master Shen has come to visit."

Han Zuocheng’s spirits lifted; he called out loudly, "Show him in at once."

After a short while, Shen Dong stepped into the inner room and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Han, my respects."

Han Zuocheng laughed and said, "No need for such formality. Come, come, sit first. Yesterday Senior Sister summoned me to examine my cultivation, so we couldn’t fully enjoy ourselves. Today you must tell me more of that Demon Refining Technique."

Shen Dong sat down smiling and said, "How would I dare disobey?"

Though he was proud, he also knew that to establish himself here he must forge good relations with the Zhao You lineage.

Among Zhang Yan’s disciples, Liu Yan Yi and Wei Zihong are both Nascent Soul cultivators, and he felt it difficult to engage with them; Tian Kun was in seclusion day after day, never stepping out, his face not to be seen; the Wang Sisters were female cultivators, and he could not draw too close.

Only Han Zuocheng shared the same cultivation level as himself and delighted in rare and unusual beings, and it happened that Gui Ling Sect contained many such records, even one method of raising Demons in a vessel. Therefore, by deliberate approach over these few days, back and forth, they had become acquainted.

The two conversed thus, and several hours passed. Han Zuocheng’s mood was extremely high, and he said, "Senior Brother still has no Cave Mansion of his own, yes? If you do not mind, there is no need to leave today. Just stay in my mansion and talk through the night, how about it?"

Shen Dong naturally had no objection and agreed.

Han Zuocheng was all the more delighted. He ordered the servants to lay out a banquet, drinking and conversing as they went. After a few more exchanges, Shen Dong seized an opportunity and said, "This junior has a small matter and would ask Senior Brother’s aid."

Han Zuocheng had been in the sect over a hundred years, yet those he had truly befriended were few. He was glad to have found someone with whom he got along and said, "Junior Brother, speak. If it is something Senior Brother can help with, I will never refuse!"

With his eyes deep, Shen Dong said, "The Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills I practice require that I engage in slaughter and combat with others to gain comprehension. Yet I do not know the mountains and rivers of East Splendor Continent and thus wish to request from Senior Brother a map, that I might go out to slay Demons!"

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...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)