Chương 165: Qingcheng Sword Sect or Iron Anvil Sword Sect

In the middle of the congested road, seven or eight wrecked cars lay scattered on the ground, some burning fiercely, others spilling black gasoline.

The scene was chaotic.

The police station set up checkpoints, cordoning off the surrounding area and prohibiting anyone from entering.

A police chief frowned and said, "More than ten people have died. Such blatant murders, these Japanese devils deserve to die."

"What can we do? The higher-ups don't want to be attacked from both sides, so we can only endure it for now. Sigh. But I wonder which hero stepped in and managed to keep these Japanese devils here. That's really satisfying."

Another sheriff said, sounding somewhat pleased.

"The witnesses said it was a man and a woman, and they looked very young. Could they be members of the Laoshan Sect?"

"That's impossible. Although the Laoshan Sect has some experts from Guixu who have returned, they are all quite old."

"Once the accident investigation team has done some work, they should be able to find out."

As the two were talking, their subordinates ran over to report that someone had come to apply for vehicle insurance.

The two men were stunned, their expressions twitching slightly. Who was this? The people in the vehicle were all dead. If they were relatives, why would they apply for vehicle insurance immediately?

"Could it be?"

The two men's eyes lit up, and they quickly turned to look. They saw a young man with a youthful appearance but a steady gait and an imposing presence walking towards them.

"Sirs, my car was damaged by the Japanese soldiers. Will the insurance company cover it? Will the Japanese soldiers pay for it?"

The person who came was naturally Zhao Rui.

Although this car was a gift from my brother-in-law, I've driven it for so long, and it's my first car, so I've developed a fondness for it.

"The insurance will definitely cover it, but as for whether the Japanese will pay, we haven't found a target yet."

"Going to the Nine Eclipse Sect is definitely the right choice. Since they're in charge, I can rest assured."

After Zhao Rui finished speaking, he turned and left.

"Why……"

The officer was about to call out to him when the sheriff beside him shook his head, stopping him from speaking.

The officer was taken aback, then smiled helplessly.

In today's environment, sometimes playing dumb is more important than being smart.

"We probably don't even need to look for them; with so many Japanese dead, they'll surely protest."

"They still have the nerve to talk."

"Just wait and see! There will always be a day of reckoning."

The two remained silent. Under the bleak setting sun, rising smoke slowly drifted up, adding to the sense of desolation.

After leaving the scene of the fight, Zhao Rui dialed his brother-in-law Zheng Huaifeng's number.

"What's the deal with the Eastern Japanese?"

Zhao Rui asked curiously.

"These bastards have reverted to their old ways, their wolfish ambitions unchanged, constantly provoking and testing us."

"I really wish I could throw a couple of fireworks and see the view!"

"Isn't the imperial court making any move?"

"Central Asia is now occupied by the Guixu people, and the imperial court is worried about being attacked from both sides..."

"Moreover, the imperial court is willing but unable to act. The international situation is turbulent, with unrest occurring in various countries. Martial artists are acting recklessly, which has seriously disrupted the normal order of the local areas..."

After hearing Zheng Huaifeng's words, Zhao Rui realized that the situation was far more serious than he had thought.

Human hearts are full of desires.

Even without martial arts in their previous lives, European countries were still plagued by refugees.

Robbery and other violent crimes are commonplace.

Moreover, nowadays, ordinary people suddenly gain military power and find themselves much stronger than those around them, to the point that even ordinary guns and cannons cannot defeat them.

Given the free atmosphere abroad, it would be strange if things didn't fall into chaos.

Protests and demonstrations can turn into riots, and riots into unrest—it's all in a matter of a few words.

The situation in the Chinese court is stable, mainly because the current social population has a high level of education, a rich cultural heritage, and normal social ethics.

In addition, the imperial court's decades-long plan for martial arts training has resulted in a large number of educated martial arts practitioners being employed in various industries.

It maintained basic social stability.

Every social situation goes through a period of chaos before it takes shape.

This is a historical inevitability and a choice made by human nature.

Zhao Rui sighed. He couldn't control things abroad, nor could he control things domestically, but he could only hope that, within his power, the country would be peaceful and prosperous.

Sometimes I wonder, is the resurgence of spiritual energy a good thing or a bad thing?

Although there was injustice and wealth disparity in those days before martial arts in my previous life, it was ultimately peaceful.

Zhao Rui felt a suppressed panic in his heart.

As the last rays of the setting sun faded, a gentle breeze blew across the sea, accompanied by the sound of a ship's horn.

Looking into the distance, at the horizon where the sea meets the sky, ferries are sailing far away, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

Zhao Rui withdrew his gaze and strode towards the hotel.

Nothing happened that night, and the next morning, Zhao Rui set off for Sichuan Province.

Since the situation is unpredictable and difficult to understand, it's better to quietly improve our strength.

There are not many martial arts techniques left on the market for him to copy.

There are only the Guixu sect and its vast collection of martial arts classics, which I have not yet explored.

He cannot go to the Ruins of Return.

However, it's still possible to maintain some connections with the sects in the Central Plains.

Whether he goes to school or not is no longer of much significance to him.

Whether he is on campus or not, the school will issue him a graduation certificate and a degree certificate.

On the speeding train, Zhao Rui sat by the window, closing his eyes slightly to rest.

Suddenly a commotion came from behind, followed by the sounds of fists and kicks colliding and passengers screaming in panic.

Soon after, a team of police officers rushed over and, after a barrage of reprimands, the noise subsided.

"It seems like there are more and more fights these days."

A young man sitting opposite him complained.

"Once you become too capable, you won't submit to anyone else."

His companion smiled and said.

Before the two could finish speaking, they saw the train police escorting them towards the next carriage.

"The train police are that good? They subdued them without much fanfare?"

Seeing how obediently the two complied, it was clear that persuasion was not the only solution.

"Times are progressing!"

"Too!"

Listening to their casual conversation, Zhao Rui couldn't help but smile knowingly.

As the tide of life rolls ever onward, there will always be those who rise up and turn the tide.

A glint flashed in Zhao Rui's eyes.

If the sky is murky and cloudy, then he will unleash a bright and sunny day!

Half a day later!

Zhao Rui got off the train at a station in a small city in Sichuan Province.

"Zhao Rui, over here!"

Yu Zhengnan, dressed in a Taoist robe, waved to Zhao Rui as he walked out of the station.

"Why did I make you come to pick me up in person? I could have just taken a taxi."

Zhao Rui smiled.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to find the door."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked to the parking lot and got into a van.

Yes, it's a bread truck.

"The temple didn't have much money to begin with, and with all the repairs and maintenance we've done, it's almost all gone."

Master Yu said awkwardly.

"Um... how about we punish the wicked and promote the good, rob the rich to help the poor?"

Zhao Rui joked.

"Haha, if you hadn't come, I wouldn't have had the confidence to rob the rich to help the poor!"

When Master Yu learned that Zhao Rui was willing to come to the Taoist temple, he was in a great mood, and the sorrow of the past six months was swept away.

The car traveled south along the bustling streets of the county town, passing through towns and villages, and finally stopped beside a dense forest.

Looking at the rugged cliffs and jagged rocks in front of him, but the mountain peaks were not high, Zhao Rui asked curiously.

"What mountain is this?"

"This mountain is called Tiezhan Mountain, and right next to it is Heming Mountain, a sacred Taoist site in Sichuan Province!"

"Then what should we call it from now on?"

"Of course, it's still the Qingcheng Sword Sect!"

Yu Zhengnan said solemnly.

He naturally still hoped that one day he could return to Qingcheng Mountain and the Qingcheng Taoist Temple where he had lived for decades.

"There will be a day when we can go back!"

Zhao Rui said with a smile.

"Let's go up the mountain!"

Yu Zhengnan smiled casually, waved his wide Taoist robe lightly, and stepped onto the stone steps.

The mountain road is quite remote, with only scattered stone steps and cement pillars carved by human hands. Further up, there are some small paths worn out by human feet.

It's not very convenient to go up and down the mountain.

After walking for about half an hour, the two saw four or five buildings that looked like mud-brick houses standing on a hilltop.

"Don't underestimate these few rooms; the labor costs are too high. Everyone in the Taoist temple has put in a lot of effort to save money."

Whenever Yu Zhengnan brought up this matter, he sighed deeply, saying that it would be strange if he didn't have grievances against the group of Guixu Qingcheng guests who occupied Qingcheng Mountain.

It's just that circumstances are beyond our control, and we have no choice but to bow our heads.

After circling around another hilltop, the "Taoist temple" came into view.

"The sect leader is back! The elders are back too."

The two young Taoist boys on duty at the gate immediately shouted excitedly when they saw Zhao Rui and his companion approaching.

"Did these young Taoist disciples come along too?"

"Yes, quite a few people have come, which shows that our Qingcheng Sword Sect still has influence."

Yu Zhengnan stroked his stubble-covered chin and laughed heartily.

"Elder, you're finally back."

"Elder, Elder, when are we going to fight back!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhengnan quickly flicked the young Taoist boy on the forehead and spat, "Is this all the Taoist heart you've cultivated!"

"But Uncle-Master Yunhao says it every day too!"

The young Taoist priest muttered indignantly.

"You're punished by copying the Huang Ting Jing three times!"

After Yu Zhengnan finished speaking, he strode inside.

The two young Taoist disciples didn't mind and rushed to help Zhao Rui carry his suitcase.

"Elder, you have no idea how hard we've trained to prepare for the battle against Qingcheng Mountain. Look!"

The young Taoist who didn't manage to grab the luggage box was enthusiastically demonstrating his Qingcheng Kung Fu techniques.

With a "bang," the ground was blasted open by his wildly unleashed qi, creating a small crater and splashing up a lot of dirt.

The young Taoist boy stuck out his tongue and sheepishly shrank his neck.

"You've practiced well, but your control over the heat is still lacking; you can't quite control it at will!"

Zhao Rui smiled and made a couple of comments.

"real?"

The young Taoist was overjoyed.

These young Taoist disciples are all children from towns and villages near Qingcheng Mountain. The fact that they came here with Yu Zhengnan and his group shows that their parents trust them.

They are willing to let their children endure hardship and practice their skills.

Looking at the innocent and carefree appearance of these young Taoist disciples, who were only about ten years old, Zhao Rui couldn't help but feel great.

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao!

If all the principles are with me, then the world will be at peace!

"The young elder is back!"

As the young Taoist priest's clear voice rang out, thirty or forty people poured out of the entire Taoist temple.

There were four or five young Taoist priests from the same batch as Zhao Rui, and about twenty young Taoist priests or Taoist novices.

The rest were former formal Taoist priests of the Qingcheng Sword Sect.

"Junior Brother Zhao, you're finally back!"

A smile graced Yun Hao's handsome face. With Zhao Rui's arrival, his pressure instantly lessened considerably.

He was the only one in the entire Taoist temple with high-level combat power, and he dared not leave the mountain gate all day long, for fear that an uninvited guest would break into the mountain.

Now that Zhao Rui is back, he can finally get some rest.

This kind of rest is not physical, but more about mental well-being.

"Yes, I'm back!"

Zhao Rui smiled and nodded, then patted the heads of the several young disciples who had gathered around him, and asked, "Did you slack off while I was away?"

"No!"

The young Taoist boy, who was known for his simplicity, answered the loudest.

After a while of excitement, Yu Zhengnan and Yun Hao led Zhao Rui to the large tile-roofed house in the center.

This is the Sanqing Hall, the only place that is properly built to resemble a Taoist temple.

Yu Zhengnan first led Zhao Rui to pay their respects in the main hall, and then the three of them went to a side hall to sit down.

A young Taoist priest hurried over and offered tea.

After the three of them sipped their tea, Yun Hao asked Zhao Rui about life in the military camp and the changes outside.

Zhao Rui introduced them one by one.

Yun Hao's expression was solemn, and he couldn't help but say, "My skills have improved by leaps and bounds in the past six months, but I still feel lingering fear whenever I think back to when I fought those people in Qingcheng Mountain."

"There are probably more than just those at the Divine Void Realm among them."

Zhao Rui nodded upon hearing this. Judging from the situation, there was a high probability that there would be a Dharma Aspect Realm expert present.

It's just unknown how many people from the Qingcheng Sect in Guixu actually came, whether it was all of them or just a portion.

"Where did they come from?"

Zhao Rui voiced his doubts.

Surely these people couldn't all have been transported from another world by spirit, could they?

"We come from the hidden realm of Mount Emei, where there is a weak point between the two realms, and it was also the entry point when Guixu first came here!"

"Emei has actually been connected with Guixu for a long time."

Yu Zhengnan sighed and said.

The Qingcheng Sword Sect was essentially tricked by their ally, the Emei Sect!

"No wonder!"

Zhao Rui nodded, the image of the wise monk appearing in his mind.

The three of them had a long chat about their experiences since they last met.

Yu Zhengnan then took Zhao Rui to his residence to rest.

Behind these large brick houses, there are several simple, shared rooms resembling shipping containers.

The young Taoist priests lived in bunk beds, just like when they went to school.

Zhao Rui naturally had better conditions, with a one-bedroom apartment in a detached house.

"Sect Leader, it's time to revive the Taoist blessing rituals; we can't let everyone go hungry."

Zhao Rui shook his head and said.

"I know, I know. I'm currently teaching a few disciples with high aptitude. You won't go hungry! I'll go to the Daotai's office again tomorrow to ask for some subsidies."

After Yu Zhengnan finished speaking, he quickly left the courtyard, afraid that Zhao Rui would complain about what he didn't have.

A simple environment can always foster a profound and sincere spiritual practice!

Without the hustle and bustle of the world and the grandeur of the past, this secluded little mountain is quite suitable for cultivation.

Bathed in moonlight at night, and drenched in rosy glow by the sun!

The powerful true energy within Zhao Rui's body, which had been stirring restlessly, finally began to loosen after so much time of adding points and strengthening his cultivation techniques.

"The Dharma form is the self-form! Forms arise from the mind!"

Zhao Rui's eyes sparkled like stars, shining brightly!

……

Qingcheng Mountain, the headquarters of the Qingcheng Sect!

A group of people dressed in Taoist robes and ancient costumes walked towards the mountain gate.

"Five hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. We, the disciples of Qingcheng, have finally lived up to the expectations of our ancestors!"

"Amitabha Buddha!"

Everyone bowed and recited mantras.

Before long, a large group of Taoist priests, also dressed in Taoist robes, emerged from the mountain gate. These people included both the old and the young, numbering in the hundreds.

"Welcome back to the sect leader!"

A loud voice resounded throughout the entire Qingcheng Mountain!

(End of this chapter)