Chapter 185: Chapter 184: Daoist, Do You Want to Experience a Different Life?

The next day, at the foot of Zhenwu Mountain, the area in front of the Jade Void Palace was thronged with tourists, with Daoists scattered among them.

In an open space on the palace grounds, a high stage had been erected. The backdrop behind it displayed the words "Zhenwu Mountain Daoist Culture and Martial Arts Festival," and numerous staff members were maintaining order nearby.

Behind the stage, a few simple tents had been set up to serve as a backstage area, where many Daoists were making their preparations.

When Gu Zhao arrived with the two young women, the Five Thunders Order in his Sea of Consciousness began to vibrate.

It wasn’t just Taoist Qingwei and Taoist Qingyuan. He also saw three of Taoist Qingwei’s disciples who had likewise cultivated Inner Breath True Qi. That made five people from the Sanfeng Sect alone.

At the same time, two other old Daoists and a middle-aged one also possessed Magical Power. They were busy encouraging the disciples who were preparing to perform on stage.

Taoist Qingwei made the introductions, and Gu Zhao learned that one of the two old Daoists was a senior from the True Martial Qingwei Sect, and the other was a veteran elder of the True Martial Dragon Gate Sect. The sturdy-looking middle-aged Daoist was the successor of the True Martial Xuanwu Sect.

Gu Zhao couldn’t help but rub his hands together. ’So many spares!’

’First, I had my pool of spares from Qingcheng Mountain and the Celestial Master’s Mansion. Now I’ve got a Zhenwu Mountain pool, too.’

Meanwhile, Taoist Qingwei was once again inviting Taoist Qingyuan to come out of seclusion to teach disciples at the Zhenwu Mountain academy.

Taoist Qingyuan looked troubled. "But I don’t know how to teach."

"Taoist Qingyuan has been a farmer his whole life," Gu Zhao said, coming over to smooth things over. "Other than farming, all he does is practice his martial arts. He’s not used to being a teacher, nor is he comfortable performing in public. Isn’t that right?"

Taoist Qingyuan nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, that’s exactly right."

Taoist Qingwei was disappointed, but also impressed. In the end, he respected Taoist Qingyuan’s wishes.

However, Gu Zhao approached Taoist Qingyuan and said with a low chuckle, "When you and I sparred yesterday, you seemed quite happy. Deep down, you don’t want everything you’ve spent your life practicing to go to waste, do you?"

They were all practitioners of the True Dao who had cultivated Inner Breath; there was no need for pretense. Taoist Qingyuan nodded, then shook his head. "I don’t really have any regrets. The purpose of my cultivation was to live a good life. Now that my life is good, that goal has been achieved."

...

The Martial Arts Festival went very smoothly.

There were opening speeches and team performances. In addition to the local Chinese, there were also groups of foreigners. One foreigner in particular, who had been cultivating on Zhenwu Mountain for many years, performed a Taiyi Profound Sword routine and had clearly grasped its very essence.

Daoists from various sects performed routines like the Taiyi Five Elements Fist and the True Martial Pure Yang Sword. Of course, the performance also included the most famous form, the Tai Chi Sword.

Although there were still divisions between the sects on Zhenwu Mountain, they were all united under the broader Zhenwu Mountain Taoist Association. Aside from their individual master-disciple lineages, they were all considered one big family, so the atmosphere was cheerful and harmonious.

The spectating tourists were very appreciative, and the sound of their applause and cheers was incessant.

Gu Zhao got a good look at the diversity of Zhenwu Martial Arts. There were unarmed techniques, various weapons, Lightweight Skill, and hidden weapons. Dozens of styles were demonstrated, and from listening to the Daoists chatting backstage, he knew there were many more.

Just then, a message from Yunyang came through the Five Thunders Order in his Sea of Consciousness.

"Sect Leader, someone’s trying to steal our business."

"What do you mean?"

"We got a report from Shanglin County. Someone is spreading the faith of the Yellow Heaven God and collecting Incense there. People who worship the Yellow Heaven God can receive a Yellow Heaven Token that’s supposed to guarantee their safety."

"The Yellow Heaven God... Shanglin County..." Gu Zhao thought for a moment. "Are they from Bai Shi Prefecture?"

"Heh heh, that’s right. It’s the Yellow Heaven Altar from Bai Shi Prefecture," Yunyang replied. "Huang Yuan said they’re a nest of Yellow-skinned ones. Their Yellow Heaven God is only about on par with the Golden Wind Divine King, so their power is limited."

"Getting a little cocky, are we?" Gu Zhao teased. "The Golden Wind Divine King has seven or eight hundred years of Dao Practice and holds sway over all of Changping Prefecture, yet you make him sound so insignificant."

"Well, that’s because we have Martial Uncle Yan Song and Martial Uncle Yi Hong, isn’t it?" Yunyang chuckled. "Besides, Martial Uncle Ming Yu has been smiling a lot lately. I bet he’s about to have a breakthrough, too."

"That’s good." Gu Zhao nodded, but his expression turned serious. "How did you handle it?"

"Taoist Jing Feng went personally. He killed the intruders and threw their souls into Mingling Hell," Yunyang said, clicking his tongue. "So, I guess you could say we and the Yellow Heaven Altar have red-flagged each other."

"I see. They started this, and they aren’t our only enemy in Bai Shi Prefecture," Gu Zhao said, his gaze sweeping over several of the Daoists at the scene.

Although Daluo Palace had already secured Changping Prefecture, they faced the distant threat of the Ink Flood Dragon in Pingjiang Prefecture and the immediate encroachment of the Yellow Heaven Altar from Bai Shi Prefecture. They still needed to bolster their forces.

In the end, his gaze came to rest on Taoist Qingyuan.

’You may not be the most powerful, but you and I are the most fated,’ Gu Zhao thought with a slight smile. ’You’ve languished for half your life, but your opportunity has finally arrived. I hope you can make the Tai Chi Sword shine brilliantly in the Otherworld.’

...

Once the opening ceremony of the Martial Arts Festival concluded, Gu Zhao went up to the few Daoists who had cultivated Inner Breath True Qi and asked for their contact information. Then, he made a suave exit with the two young women.

"Who’s that young master, brazenly showing up with two girls in tow?"

"Quiet!" Taoist Qingwei snapped. "That’s what you call being dashing and free-spirited."

The crowd: ???

Master Hai Taoist nodded. "Fellow Taoist Gu is young and promising. It’s no wonder he’s popular with young women."

Master Shima stroked his goatee. "It’s not like they were being overly affectionate in broad daylight. He isn’t violating any public standards of decency."

Master Shiyu chuckled. "That’s just Fellow Taoist Gu being true to himself!"

The crowd: !!!

Gu Zhao’s ears twitched. He couldn’t help but chuckle. He spent another day wandering around with the two young women before seeing them off on the high-speed train back to Yangcheng. He, on the other hand, returned once more to Zhenwu Mountain.

...

The bright moon hung high in the sky, and Eight Immortals Temple Village was silent. The surrounding, unmelted snow reflected the moonlight, casting a silvery-white sheen over everything.

Taoist Qingyuan’s eyes snapped open. He heard Gu Zhao’s voice from outside his door. "Forgive the intrusion, Daoist."

Taoist Qingyuan’s brow furrowed, and he asked warily, "Fellow Taoist Gu, what brings you here so late at night?"

"I couldn’t bear to see a man of your skill grow old and die in the countryside, so I’ve come to make you an offer." Gu Zhao pushed the door open and walked in. "I invite you, Daoist, to join me in Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits and protecting the common people."

Taoist Qingyuan was baffled. He frowned and asked, "Couldn’t this have been said during the day? Why did you have to come at night?"

"Because I only have one spot available for now, I had to come at night. This way, even if you refuse, no one would believe you if you told them what happened," Gu Zhao said with a smile.

"Believe what?" Taoist Qingyuan asked.

"That I can fly," Gu Zhao chuckled. He reached out and tugged, and Taoist Qingyuan felt his body move against his will, flying out the door. He then found himself rising higher and higher with Gu Zhao, and soon they were hovering in mid-air.

Gu Zhao turned to look at Taoist Qingyuan, whose eyes were wide with disbelief, as if he were questioning reality itself.

"Daoist, you have only ever excelled at two things: farming and Cultivation. You’ve spent half your life farming. Now, I ask you, are you willing to spend the other half experiencing a different kind of life?"