Chapter 433 - 432: Kindred Spirits
"Bai Mountain Master, Ye Sect Leader, Gu Palace Master."
Everyone turned to see Yun Fei’ang approaching on a cloud, followed by two men with hawk-like gazes.
"Is something the matter, Yun Palace Master?" Bai Fei asked.
Yun Fei’ang smiled faintly. "Shanzhou and Jiangzhou are neighbors. That makes my Cloud Celestial Divine Palace and Daluo Palace neighbors as well. In the past, we were separated by the An Tai Mountain Range, and I assumed the Ink Flood Dragon was still around, so I never paid much attention to Jiangzhou.
Now that the Ink Flood Dragon is dead, and since we’ve had the good fortune to meet today, I was hoping to befriend you, Gu Palace Master."
Both Bai Fei and Ye Yunsheng were rather surprised. Yun Fei’ang was famous for his pride and unruly nature. Aside from a mutual admiration and a certain camaraderie with the equally unruly Mountain Master of Iron King Mountain, who was also in Shanzhou, he wasn’t known to have any friends.
To think he would take the initiative to befriend Gu Zhao upon meeting him today?
A glint appeared in Gu Zhao’s eyes as he smiled faintly. "Your Dao Practice is profound, Yun Palace Master. The honor is all mine."
To be honest, Gu Zhao was also curious.
’I’ve set my sights on Yun Fei’ang because my Five Thunders Order allows me to see that his body is brimming with Evil Qi. Its concentration rivals that of the Netherfire Sect Leader, only slightly weaker than the Ink Flood Dragon’s.’
’But why is he targeting me? I can see the hidden malice deep in his eyes.’
’The elder Daoists of Daluo Palace have already entered Shanzhou, but they’re only traveling through the western regions, Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits. They rarely reveal their identities and haven’t yet clashed with any of Shanzhou’s factions, let alone the Cloud Celestial Divine Palace in the central part of the state.’
’So why would he harbor such malice, even killing intent, toward me?’
’My thoughts turned to the Evil Qi enveloping him. Could it be that he’s heard about Daluo Palace’s righteous deeds and is reacting with the instinctive malice of a villain?’
Yun Fei’ang smiled at his words and pointed to a large city not far away. "There’s no time like the present. Shall we head to a tavern in the city for a few drinks?"
Gu Zhao readily agreed. "Of course!"
So, Gu Zhao, Yun Fei’ang, Bai Fei, and Ye Yunsheng descended from the clouds together. Only Mo Zichen, filled with shame and shock, excused himself and departed.
Gu Zhao nodded. "Brother Mo, since your heart is filled with remorse, please perform more good deeds. If you have killed one person, then save ten to atone for your sins. When you next visit Daluo Palace, I will welcome you with open arms to discuss Techniques and debate the Dao."
"Thank you, Gu Palace Master!" Mo Zichen said respectfully, cupping his hands in a salute before leaving.
Yun Fei’ang glanced at Mo Zichen. Although he was a little curious about what had just transpired, Mo Zichen’s Cultivation was too poor for him to care. He considered the man beneath his notice and didn’t ask any questions.
"You are quite magnanimous, Gu Palace Master. What skill could that Mo Zichen possibly possess to be worthy of discussing Techniques and the Dao with you?" Yun Fei’ang said nonchalantly.
Gu Zhao smiled faintly. "Even mortals perform good deeds, and even gods have selfish desires. As the saying goes, when three walk together, one can surely be my teacher. If Brother Mo is willing to atone for his past mistakes tenfold, then I believe that intention alone is precious."
At this, Gu Zhao glanced at Yun Fei’ang. "It’s certainly much better than certain Demons who appear kind-hearted on the surface but are secretly mass-murderers."
Yun Fei’ang didn’t think Gu Zhao was talking about him, since his public persona wasn’t that of a kind-hearted man. Still, Gu Zhao’s mention of the word "Demon" made his heart skip a beat.
However, his expression remained unchanged. He simply nodded and said, "You have a point, Gu Palace Master."
Gu Zhao perceptively noticed a subtle shift in Yun Fei’ang’s demeanor and figured his words had struck a nerve. This wasn’t the time to make a move, however, so after that single probing remark, he backed off and made a welcoming gesture. "After you!"
"After you!"
The group of thirteen flew down into the city’s largest tavern. Yun Qian of White Spirit Mountain produced two gold ingots, rented out the entire top floor, and instructed the waiter to bring out a steady stream of dishes.
Transcendent masters had descended upon his establishment. Feeling the gravity of the situation, the Shopkeeper personally supervised the kitchen. The head chef was so nervous that sparks flew from his spatula as he cooked, while the waiter focused with every fiber of his being, concentrating completely on serving the food and wine.
None of this, however, disturbed the group as they chatted about everything under the sun.
The four powers present represented a vast swath of the land: Wanling North and South, the lands east and west of the An Tai Mountain Range, the Mountain State’s Cloud Celestial Divine Palace, Jiangnan’s Daluo Palace, Jiangbei’s White Spirit Mountain, and Wangzhou’s Holy Union Sect. With their different local customs, landscapes, and Cultivation Methods, there was no shortage of topics for conversation.
Their conversation began with casual chatter before turning to the subject of Cultivation. The small gathering for drinks ended up lasting from sunset until the following morning.
’I have to admit,’ Gu Zhao thought, ’if I didn’t know what Yun Fei’ang really was, I might have actually been fooled by him.’
’Proud and untamable, with a forthright personality. His Dao Practice is profound, he has deep insights into Cultivation, and he even shared a good deal of genuine knowledge.’
’In the modern world, he’d be the textbook domineering CEO archetype.’
The first rays of the morning sun streamed through the window, casting a golden glow on Yun Fei’ang’s face. Nearby, the light also cast a rosy blush on the cheeks of Yan Yan from White Spirit Mountain.
However, Bai Fei, as well as Ye Yunsheng and his wife, remained impassive. They were all leaders in their own right; they had lived long enough and seen enough of the world to know not to pass judgment based on rumors and a single meeting.
Although Gu Zhao was young, his experience from countless novels and dramas aside, the unyielding focus of the Five Thunders Order in his Sea of Consciousness was enough to tell him exactly what kind of person Yun Fei’ang was.
"The methods of Daluo Palace are truly profound. I am impressed," Yun Fei’ang said with a serious expression.
He was speaking the truth. Although his own Cultivation and Magic were profound, and he possessed the legacy of a Demon Scripture, he had to admit after a night of conversation that Gu Zhao’s philosophy on Cultivation was just as sophisticated.
"I’ve noticed that in our conversation, Gu Palace Master, you often speak of the ’Great Dao,’ ’discussing the Dao,’ and ’Daoist Techniques.’ The Mages in your palace are also called Daoists. It’s clear you place great importance on the concept of the ’Dao’," Yun Fei’ang asked. "Was this also part of the teachings from the Spirit Realm Upper Gods’ Dream Transmission?"
Gu Zhao didn’t understand why Yun Fei’ang was so fixated on this point. He answered noncommittally, "The concept of the ’Dao’ is the epitome of profundity. It can have countless interpretations, or it can simply be what one’s heart aspires to."
Yun Fei’ang nodded in understanding. He had already reached a conclusion.
"Discussing the Dao with you today has been most enlightening for me. Our two sects are neighbors, after all; we should visit each other more often. In a few days, I happen to be traveling to Jiangzhou, so I will stop by Daluo Palace to pay you a visit. And if you have the time, you are always welcome at the Cloud Celestial Divine Palace."
Yun Fei’ang understood the principle well: to take, one must first give. ’If I want to lure Gu Zhao to the Cloud Celestial Divine Palace, I first have to visit Daluo Palace myself to allay his suspicions and fears.’
"You’re right, Yun Palace Master." Gu Zhao nodded in agreement, a thought stirring in his mind.
’Is he preparing to walk right into my trap?’
’But if he comes as a guest and I just kill him, wouldn’t that be bad for Daluo Palace’s reputation?’
Gu Zhao was slightly conflicted.
Just then, the Five Thunders Order in his Sea of Consciousness stirred, and Gu Zhao received a voice transmission from Taoist Huai Yi.
"Sect Leader! I’ve found the source of the Demonic Qi! It’s a heavy hitter, just as we thought!"
"Where is it?"
"The Cloud Celestial Divine Palace in Shanzhou! The Demonic Qi has spread through the ley lines for three hundred li! That Cloud Celestial Palace Master must be a Demon cultivating a Demon Technique!"
"Ah?"
Gu Zhao raised his eyes to look at Yun Fei’ang, who happened to be looking at him at that very moment.
They exchanged a smile, as if they were kindred spirits.