Chương 124: This acquaintance of yours is unreliable!

Upon hearing Wang Zhanshan's words, Zhao Rui couldn't help but look at the man beside him.

He looked middle-aged, with a thick beard hanging down his chin, and wore a blue Taoist robe that had faded slightly from washing.

"This is Master Yu Zhengnan of the Qingcheng Sect."

"Master Yu, this is Zhao Rui!"

After hearing Wang Zhanshan's words, Yu Zhengnan's slightly troubled face broke into a smile: "Greetings, Brother Zhao! This humble Taoist bows in respect!"

"Greetings, Master Yu!"

Zhao Rui quickly greeted him.

Why don't you introduce me to a Taoist priest?

Could it be that our school is sending students to a Taoist temple for further studies?

Before he could ask any more questions, Wang Zhanshan continued, "Speaking of which, Master Yu's lineage has a deep connection with my Mingchan Academy. His grandmaster is considered to be the grand-nephew of Elder Ge!"

"Junior disciple?"

Zhao Rui was taken aback. My seniority, cough cough, is Elder Ge's seniority that high?

If I had known, I would have agreed to Elder Ge's request back then.

Let's go to their mountain gate and be a junior grandmaster for a day!

"Master Yu came here on the instructions of Elder Ge, intending to take you to the Qingcheng Sect for a period of quiet cultivation."

"I?"

"Yes, that's how my grandmaster uncle sent the message!"

Master Yu bowed respectfully.

"Zhao Rui, I suggest you go. Qingcheng Mountain has a long history of martial arts. A period of quiet cultivation there will greatly benefit your future path in martial arts!"

Wang Zhanshan offered words of advice from the side.

He knew Zhao Rui's temper well. He used to be able to suppress him, but now, whether it was his martial arts or his status, it seemed that he couldn't hide it anymore.

What a wonderful trip to Emei last time! It not only did me a favor, but also deepened my connection with Emei.

This kid is completely disobedient; he always causes trouble when he goes out...

Hmm, could it be that he's unwilling to travel far because I've punished him too much?

"Wow, when do we leave?"

While Wang Zhanshan was lost in thought, Zhao Rui readily agreed.

Only a fool wouldn't take advantage of such a good opportunity.

Although the famous "Falling Goose with a Buttocks" style of Qingcheng Mountain cannot be learned, it is still a famous Taoist mountain and a renowned martial arts school.

There are definitely many martial arts techniques that can be copied.

"How come it was so easy this time!"

Wang Zhanshan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

"Isn't Qingcheng our own territory? What's there to hesitate about going home?"

Zhao Rui said casually.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhao, everyone under the Qingcheng Sect is kind and devoted to the Dao!"

Master Yu swept his hands across the floating and sinking, and chanted "Infinite Heavenly Venerable!"

"Coach, about my request for leave?"

"I'll make the arrangements for you. Focus on your meditation and peace of mind!"

After the deal was settled, Zhao Rui followed Master Yu and took a fast train to Sichuan Province that afternoon.

No seats available!

Mount Qingcheng is also in Sichuan Province. Isn't that surprising?

Zhao Rui was stunned. What he found even more unbelievable was that the straight-line distance between Qingcheng Mountain and Emei Mountain was 120 kilometers!

Can you handle this?

You might be able to see the nuns even across the mountain...

Ahem, Amitabha!

Monks do not covet donations, they do not...

Once on the train, Master Yu's attire was quite impressive, attracting the attention of passing passengers.

Some of the more devout ones even came over to offer a bow and call out "Infinite Heavenly Venerable!"

In this world, the influence of Buddhism and Taoism is far greater than in previous lives.

Someone like Xuan Ci is even more fearless; no one can subdue him except those with higher martial arts skills.

If the world wants to restrain him, it would be as if an atomic bomb fell from the sky and, with a snap, vanquished the demon!

"Your salaries must be high, right? What are the benefits like?"

Zhao Rui asked curiously.

Master Yu twitched his eyelids slightly, but still said earnestly, "Registered Taoist priests receive a monthly salary of 12... with five social insurances and two housing funds..."

Zhao Rui: "..."

I was just asking casually!

The train sped southwest.

Several hours later, we arrived at the train station in the provincial capital of Sichuan.

After the two got out of the car, a private van from the Qingcheng Sect came to pick them up.

After traveling for another half day, Zhao Rui finally saw the magnificent and beautiful Qingcheng Mountain.

Like the Emei Sect, there is also a place to receive guests at the foot of the mountain.

This area is still divided into tourist areas and Taoist temples in the back mountains. There are many sects in the mountains, not just the Qingcheng Sect, but also many Buddhist and Taoist sects.

However, the Qingcheng Sect was the most powerful.

"Uncle Yu, you're back!"

Upon arriving at the reception area at the foot of the mountain, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old greeted us with a smile.

"Hmm, is everything alright in the mountains?"

Master Yu nodded and asked.

"Everything is fine. Oh, by the way, Senior Brother Wang Ren mastered the Qiankun Yiqi Sword Technique yesterday."

The boy seemed to remember something and quickly said something.

"So fast! Good, good!"

Master Yu stroked his somewhat dark and stiff beard, a look of joy on his face.

"Take my luggage up the mountain to me later!"

After saying that, he called out to Zhao Rui, asking him to leave his luggage behind, and then the two of them walked up a narrow mountain path towards the top of the mountain.

"This is the Path of Inquiry into the Heart of this Qingcheng Sect, which must be climbed on foot without using internal energy."

After listening to Master Yu's explanation, Zhao Rui nodded, suppressed his true energy, and slowly walked up the mountain using only his physical strength.

The mountain path was initially only a meter wide, but it became increasingly narrow, to the point where only two feet could stand side by side.

"Mountains and paths are one; only when mountains and paths coexist can their majestic peaks be truly revealed!"

Master Yu clearly frequented this place; although the steps were narrow and rugged, his steps were quite steady and swift.

Zhao Rui felt a little guilty. Although he knew that even if he fell, he would be fine if he used his lightness skill in time, he still couldn't help but feel a little strange.

This comes from within the body, from the most primal instinct.

Ask your heart about the path, ask your heart about the path.

People's hearts are different, so their paths will naturally be different as well.

Zhao Rui looked up at the mountaintop, which was still a long way from being reached, and then looked down at the deep canyon and ravine below, which resembled an abyss.

He involuntarily closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the world and all directions were filled with nothingness.

There was only an invisible force pulling him downwards, guiding his body.

What am I afraid of, this mountain or this bottom?

Is this going against the tide, or going with the flow?

Master Yu was not in a hurry to urge him, but simply gazed quietly at the distant mountain peaks.

A moment later, Zhao Rui suddenly opened his eyes. Although there was no glint in his eyes, they became even more piercing.

"Thank you for waiting so long!"

"It's alright, no wonder Elder Ge values you so highly! It's also a great fortune for Qingcheng!"

Master Yu smiled, without asking what he had figured out, and after finishing speaking, turned around and continued climbing.

Zhao Rui followed at a leisurely pace.

After traveling for most of the day, the mountain path suddenly opened up, and they arrived at a flat area halfway up the mountain.

"If we go another five or six miles to the west, we will reach the Qingcheng Sect. We came by a side road, which we don't usually need to take."

Master Yu pointed to the Taoist temple buildings that were vaguely visible in the distance and spoke.

"Um!"

Zhao Rui nodded.

The two continued walking forward and soon arrived at a gray granite wall made of blue bricks.

The stone wall, covered with moss, is no more than nine feet high, yet it is diagonally inserted into the ground according to the sixty-four hexagrams of Fuxi.

Turning a corner around the stone wall, a lintel with a cypress plaque hanging above it came into Zhao Rui's view.

The plaque is engraved with the six large characters "Qingcheng Xuanmen Sword Sect". The paint is cracked like a tortoise shell, and the rivets on the corners are faded.

Compared to the Emei Sect, their appearance is far inferior.

Perhaps they don't receive as much incense money as the Emei Sect!

Two Taoist priests with swords stood on either side of the entrance. They were slightly surprised to see Master Yu leading Zhao Rui in. After bowing, they couldn't help but glance at Zhao Rui a few more times.

Just then, a middle-aged Taoist priest with long beard and hair, and triangular eyes walked out from the doorway.

"Junior Brother Yu has taken on another disciple?"

The newcomer frowned slightly as he looked Zhao Rui up and down and asked.

"no!"

Unlike his conversation with the young Taoist priest down the mountain, Yu Zhengnan gave a concise reply and then led Zhao Rui past the newcomer.

"Something's fishy! It seems the sects aren't all harmonious after all!"

Zhao Rui followed, thinking to himself.

Although the main gate of Qingcheng is not as grand and imposing as that of Emei, the interior is still quite spacious.

In the spacious courtyard, several grand Taoist temple halls rise from the ground, exuding an extremely solemn and majestic aura.

Master Yu led him to the entrance of a side hall, and after a brief inquiry, he led Zhao Rui inside.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, the sword protectors ordered by Grandmaster Ge have arrived."

Master Yu bowed respectfully and looked at the elderly Taoist priest sitting cross-legged on the bed directly in front of him.

The old Taoist priest had deep wrinkles on his face, looking very old. His complexion was slightly pale, and his voice trembled slightly.

He seemed to be several decades older than Mr. Ge.

"Thirty years have passed, and I've finally seen the sword protector again. It's a pity that Qingcheng is not what it used to be. It's just fate!"

The old Taoist priest glanced at Zhao Rui, a faint glint of light flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Um, senior, I'm not a sword protector. If coming to Qingcheng has caused you any trouble, please don't force yourself..."

Zhao Rui was completely confused and worried that, like Emei, they might do something messy again.

He quickly said it directly.

"Sword Guardian is just a title; whether you are one or not is entirely up to fate. Qingcheng will not bind you!"

The old Taoist smiled slightly.

Zhao Rui nodded and said no more, listening quietly to their arrangements.

Since Elder Ge has given the instructions, let's wait and see.

"Go, go with Xu Lingzi."

After the old Taoist finished speaking, his withered body trembled slightly twice, signaling the two to leave.

Upon seeing this, Master Yu quickly bowed and then took his leave with Zhao Rui.

"What is a sword protector?!"

After leaving the side hall, Zhao Rui asked curiously.

"I don't know either. I only heard my grandmaster mention that every thirty years, Grandmaster Ge would send someone to the mountain, called the Sword Guardian, to learn my Qingcheng Sword Technique. According to the records, you are the third."

Master Yu explained.

Zhao Rui's face twitched. This kind of mysterious thing couldn't be good.

What did Mr. Ge say before?

Pass on my martial arts skills and let me protect Mingchan Academy!

Another sword protector has appeared here?

Could it be that there's an extremely powerful massage parlor in the Mingchan Courtyard, um, a sword!

Zhao Rui's thoughts raced. Ever since he witnessed Master Jing's flying sword skills, his consciousness had been elevated to a new level.

It's not wrong to think a little outrageous.

"Alright! Since we're already here, we might as well make the best of it. We'll have to trouble you, Daoist Master!"

"It's my duty, it's what I should do!"

Then Master Yu took Zhao Rui to the guest room, arranged his accommodation, and then took him to the restaurant for a meal.

The Taoist priests and lay disciples dining in the restaurant all looked over curiously when they saw Master Yu with a stranger.

But when Master Yu looked over, they all quickly turned their heads away.

"Are they really that curious about you being with me?"

Zhao Rui muttered something under his breath, feeling a little embarrassed.

"My last disciple has just departed!"

"What is deconstruction?"

"He's dead!"

"..."

Zhao Rui's eyes darted around, and he asked somewhat nervously, "May I ask how many disciples you have?"

Master Yu glanced at him, a bitter smile playing on his lips, and said with a hint of self-mockery, "Seven in total, and now I'm all alone!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rui was immediately stunned.

I am not his apprentice, I am not his apprentice!

Zhao Rui originally wanted to clarify things in front of these Qingcheng disciples, but looking at Master Yu's scraggly face...

He still chose to be a human being.

After the meal, Master Yu escorted Zhao Rui back to his residence and instructed him to wander around the neighborhood, but not to go too far.

Zhao Rui was new to the place and wasn't in the mood to wander around aimlessly.

He stretched his limbs briefly at the doorway before returning to his room to meditate and cultivate.

Nothing happened that night, and the next day, Master Yu arrived early.

I invited Zhao Rui to attend the morning class in Qingcheng.

They practiced martial arts and swordsmanship, and read books and recited scriptures.

It has a rather tranquil and natural feel to it.

It's much more engaging than reading aloud in the morning at school.

After the morning prayers, there are many other things to do, such as practicing Taoist methods and listening to senior Taoist masters explain Taoist scriptures.

In addition to matters related to Taoism, there are also martial arts training and lectures related to the sword sect.

It feels similar to the process of a martial arts academy, with academic and martial arts courses progressing in tandem.

After accompanying him for the entire day, Master Yu instructed him to follow the day's routine and practice in the temple.

Zhao Rui nodded in agreement.

Now that you're here, settle down and try to become a Qingcheng disciple.

At night, he recalled the Taoist scriptures and techniques he had heard during the day, and felt that they complemented martial arts quite well.

My interest naturally increased.

The next day, Zhao Rui got up early, silently recited the lessons he had learned the day before, then put on his newly issued Taoist robe, sported a buzz cut, and leisurely went to the main hall for the morning lessons.

This time, without Master Yu's company, his companions were finally "willing" to talk to him.

"Are you a lay disciple accepted by Master Yu?"

During the break, a young Taoist priest with a topknot slightly turned his head to look at Zhao Rui's attire and asked curiously.

"No, I was introduced by Elder Ge!"

Zhao Rui said calmly.

"Who is Mr. Ge?"

"..."

Zhao Rui felt like he'd punched cotton. Little fellow Daoist, you've chosen the wrong path. I'm trying to show off, but you're not cooperating!

"you do not know?"

Zhao Rui thought that maybe he was also new here.

The young Taoist priest then turned to ask the others, who all shook their heads, indicating they didn't know.

Zhao Rui was stunned.

Well, all that talk of grandmaster uncles and grand-uncles has become a dream.

"It was through a mutual acquaintance!"

Zhao Rui said awkwardly.

"Then this acquaintance of yours is unreliable!"

The young Taoist priest pouted and shook his head, looking disgusted.

Zhao Rui was starting to not want to talk to him anymore.

"You don't look young, are you a high school student?"

"I'm a freshman!"

"Oh, that's the same as me, I'm a freshman too."

"Do Taoist priests go to university too?"

"Yes, we are studying Taoism. I am a freshman majoring in Zhengyi Taoism at the Taoist College of Sichuan University."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rui felt as if a new path had been opened up for him, and he chatted with the young Taoist priest and the people next to him with great interest.

(End of this chapter)