Chapter 520 - 155: Preparing for Seclusion
After discussing matters concerning the Daoist Palace, Zhi Gong and Hu Yin chatted about a few other trifles. Before they knew it, it was late afternoon. The two glanced at the sky, then stood up to take their leave.
After the two women left, Yu Lian said, "I suspect Zhi Gong wants to use the resources of our Southern Cultivation Realm to pave her way to the Fourth Realm. Hu Yin’s attitude, however, is quite ambiguous. All she cares about is her own little patch of land on Ningzhou Road."
Wang Ping chuckled after hearing Yu Lian’s analysis. "You’re getting smarter and smarter."
At his words, Yu Lian lifted her head and said, "Of course! Hey, wait a minute. I was already smart to begin with!"
"Haha!"
Wang Ping let out a hearty laugh, savoring this moment of simple humanity. Then, his Primordial Spirit enveloped all of Qianmu Temple. He sent a mental message to his master, Yu Cheng Taoist, as well as to Yuan Zheng Taoist and Ruan Chunzi, telling them to come to the Mountain Peak Dojo. He then notified Zhao Qian, the Former Hall Master, to wait outside the gate of his Dao Field.
A few moments later, Yuan Zheng Taoist, Ruan Chunzi, and Yu Cheng Taoist arrived at Wang Ping’s small courtyard one by one. Yu Lian then explained to them the purpose of Zhi Gong and Hu Yin’s visit to Qianmu Temple.
After the three had heard everything, Yu Cheng Taoist was the first to speak. "An outsider trying to control the Southern Cultivation Realm? That’s utterly delusional!"
From Yu Lian’s account, he pictured a person driven by wild ambition.
Although Zhi Gong had repeatedly stated that Wan Zhi Daoist had no designs on the Southern Cultivation Realm’s Daoist lineage, she herself was a different story. She needed the realm’s resources to prepare for her own advancement to the Fourth Realm.
Even if Wan Zhi Daoist truly intended to one day return the Southern Daoist Lineage to the Taiyan Sect, that would be hundreds, if not thousands, of years in the future. Zhi Gong simply wanted to seize the opportunity this gap provided.
For her, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If she missed it, she might never get another one!
After pointing out Zhi Gong’s motive, Yu Cheng Taoist’s tone shifted. He looked at Wang Ping and smiled. "In that case, the factions of the Southern Cultivation Realm will surely band together for protection. When that happens, we won’t have to do anything. They’ll come to us on their own. Since Zhi Gong is playing the villain, we must seize this rare opportunity."
"I’ll have to trouble you with this, Master."
Wang Ping cupped his fist in his hand.
Yu Cheng Taoist stroked his long beard and chuckled. "For now, all I can do is help you look after our home here. I can’t help with much else."
Ruan Chunzi chimed in, "If we could take over the Daoist Palace’s business in magical artifacts and elixirs, the annual profits would be enough to support the cultivation of dozens of Second Realm Cultivators."
Yuan Zheng Taoist shook his head. "That’s not realistic. We alone couldn’t possibly supply such a vast market. And even with Zhi Gong Daoist taking the brunt of the criticism, we’d still become a public target. It would be better to share some of the profits. Besides, Qianmu Temple doesn’t need that many Second Realm Cultivators at the moment."
"That’s fine as well."
Ruan Chunzi nodded. His earlier suggestion had just been an idealistic thought. Given Qianmu Temple’s current scale, it only needed to support about fifteen Second Realm Cultivators. Some were to carry on the sect’s lineage, while others were essentially working for the sect. Any more than that would be putting the cart before the horse.
"I’ll need you two Fellow Daoists to be diligent about this matter. I will be entering seclusion for a while to stabilize my cultivation base!"
Wang Ping said, cupping his fist.
Ruan Chunzi and Yuan Zheng immediately returned the gesture.
Next, Wang Ping called in Zhao Qian. The Former Hall Master’s task would be to ensure Qianmu Temple’s alliance with Zhi Gong and Hu Yin remained stable.
Once everything was settled, Ruan Chunzi, Yuan Zheng Taoist, and Zhao Qian took their leave. After they were gone, Yu Cheng Taoist brought up Wenhai and Qiuwang. "Sect Leader Qiuwang wishes to establish a branch near True Yang Mountain."
"He certainly has vision, and courage too. I’m afraid it won’t be long before large-scale conflicts break out among the various sects near True Yang Mountain. Even Zhi Gong Daoist knows to avoid the brunt of the storm, yet he wants to charge right into it."
Wang Ping was genuinely surprised by Qiuwang’s plan. ’Perhaps subconsciously, I’d always seen Qiuwang as a sycophantic toady, someone completely lacking in grand ambition or strategy. But on second thought, an Artifact Cultivator who managed to reach the Second Realm must have endured pain and suffering beyond what ordinary people can comprehend. How could he just be a simple bootlicker?’
"What are your thoughts, Master?"
Wang Ping didn’t make a decision.
Yu Cheng Taoist didn’t have to think for long before replying, "I think we should let him try. You’ll need to make plans for the Fourth Realm in the future, and you’ll definitely require help from various factions. As the core region of a prefecture in Zhongzhou, we must have our own people at True Yang Mountain. I was already considering this back when True Yang Mountain was divided into three territories, but I had to abandon the idea because Qianmu Temple’s foundation was too weak. Since Qiuwang is willing to go and scout the path for us, why shouldn’t we grant him this chance?"
"That makes sense!" Wang Ping nodded. "I’ll leave everything in your capable hands, Master."
Yu Cheng Taoist smiled and then brought up Wenhai. "Wenhai wants to borrow a Demon Soldier from the Daoist Palace in Jinhuai Prefecture. He also wants to requisition an action team to handle a case."
"Oh?"
A look of confusion appeared on Wang Ping’s face as he waited for his master to continue.
Yu Cheng Taoist continued, "His former master, Xuanhe Daoist, has appeared on Mozhou Road. It seems he wants to take revenge."
Hearing this, Wang Ping’s memory grew hazy for a moment. He was naturally reminded of when he was just starting out, how he had schemed against the White Water Sect and, to avoid suspicion, had gone to Mozhou Road to investigate the case of the missing Corpse Soldiers.
In the blink of an eye, more than a hundred years had passed. The White Water Sect was now ancient history. He couldn’t even recall the name or face of the sect leader back then. He only remembered that Xuanhe always had a cheerful smile and seemed utterly harmless.
Thinking of Xuanhe made Wang Ping think of Wen Yang. Although Wen Yang usually seemed very serious, he was in fact a friend worth having. At the very least, when trouble arose, he was someone who would truly step up.
"Wenhai has done a great deal for us over the years. There’s no harm in agreeing to such a small request, especially since it only requires using the Daoist Palace’s power," Wang Ping replied.
"That’s what I was thinking as well. However, be warned that this could take several years, perhaps even more than a decade. Then again, it might also be resolved in a matter of days," Yu Cheng Taoist cautioned.
"It doesn’t matter. We have plenty of capable people at our disposal now. We can spare Wenhai."
"True enough!"
Their conversation paused for a couple of breaths. Yu Lian flew up on a small cloud and landed on Wang Ping’s shoulder. Yu Cheng Taoist then continued, "I have two more matters to discuss. The first is about Mr. Yue. What are your plans for him?"
"He knows all the secrets of the gathering." Wang Ping left the rest unsaid.
"And what about that disciple of his?" Yu Cheng Taoist asked.
"Do you have a suggestion, Master?" Wang Ping asked in return.
"He’s already settled in Sanhe Prefecture. The business he runs spans from north to south; its southernmost reach extends to the southern coast of Hu Mountain Country, and its northernmost reach goes all the way to the Northern Country. This is precisely the kind of resource we need. What’s more, I’ve investigated, and he has indeed severed all contact with Mr. Yue."
Yu Lian’s voice echoed in Wang Ping’s Spirit Sea, "Your master’s heart has been moved by compassion."
Wang Ping understood what Yu Lian meant, but he still said, "We’ll do as Master thinks best."
A pleased expression appeared on Yu Cheng Taoist’s face. He nodded, letting the matter drop. Then, he slapped his storage pouch and took out a wooden box carved with a Sealing Array.
"Inside here is the Spirit Communication Stone!"
Wang Ping took the wooden box and opened the lid. Inside lay a very plain, gray crystal. At a glance, one might mistake it for a common pebble.
He had no desire to take it out and toy with it. After a brief inspection, he looked at Yu Cheng Taoist and said, "I will seal it away in a place that only I know of."
"That’s for you to decide. I won’t disturb you any further." With that, Yu Cheng Taoist flew off toward the back of the mountain.
Wang Ping turned his head. One of his frequently used Communication Puppet Birds was descending from the sky. It was from his puppet-disciple, Song Qu.
He was currently in Hu Mountain Country helping Wu’an, Yuan Zheng Taoist’s disciple, procure medicinal herbs. The assignment was for a full thirty years, but the reward was, of course, very generous. In twenty years, Wu’an would help him improve his cultivation aptitude once.
Song Qu’s current aptitude was upper-middle grade. After this improvement, it would become superior grade at the very least!
"You have to write back!"
Yu Lian looked at Wang Ping earnestly. "Even though he’s just a puppet you created, you acknowledged him as your disciple. That means you share the bond of master and disciple. You should understand what that means better than I do. Besides, this is the best way to hold on to your humanity. Your first act of indifference will lead to countless more in the future, and your humanity will gradually fade away."
"You’re right."
Wang Ping agreed with Yu Lian. He sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, took out a bamboo slip and a writing brush, and carefully wrote a reply.
As he finished the final character, a rare sense of satisfaction bloomed in Wang Ping’s heart.
Filled with this satisfaction, he placed the bamboo slip inside the Puppet Bird’s belly. He then walked out of the courtyard, went to a Spirit Wood Tree, and sat down, lost in thought. He meditated until nightfall, then his hands formed a spell seal, activating the great array of the Mountain Peak Dojo.
He was going into seclusion for a time. First, to avoid the current conflicts in the Southern Cultivation Realm, and second, to fully integrate the Heaven-Reaching Talisman.