vstars Chapter 40 As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.
Chapter 40 As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.
In the side room, Chi Mingzi lay reclining on the couch, sipping wine intermittently, when his cloudy old eyes suddenly lit up.
"This kid... how long has it been?" He stroked his messy beard, his expression a mixture of surprise and delight. "Less than half a day, and he's actually grasped the basics and condensed a sword seed? Heh, this old man has truly struck gold!"
He had originally estimated that even with Xu Changqing's exceptional talent, it would take him three to five days to even begin to grasp the basics. Who would have thought that this kid, without a word, succeeded on his very first attempt? No wonder he possessed a body reforged using the rituals of heaven and earth; such talent was truly extraordinary. It seemed the Pure Yang Dao lineage had a worthy successor. If those old fogies knew, they'd probably be envious to the point of their eyes popping out. Hmm, he'd better keep some of it hidden, lest they try to snatch it away.
Just as he was feeling smug, a series of hurried and disordered footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by low sobs and suppressed breathing, breaking the midday tranquility.
Chi Mingzi raised an eyebrow, his divine sense sweeping across the courtyard like a gentle breeze. At the temple gate, Zhang Laosan and his wife were supporting each other, staggering, their faces pale, their eyes filled with fear and despair.
Among them was a young girl, about sixteen years old, with a pale and thin face, but her natural beauty was undeniable.
Though her eyes were brimming with tears from fear, they remained clear and bright, carrying a tranquility and stubbornness rarely seen in the mountains. Her breath was weak, clearly indicating that she was just recovering from a serious illness.
It was Zhang Xiao'e.
"Master, Master Xuming, save me!" As soon as Zhang Laosan entered the courtyard, he knelt down on the bluestone slab with a thud, his voice hoarse and trembling.
His wife also collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably: "Taoist priest, please save my Xiao'e."
Zhang Xiao'e was being pulled to kneel by her parents, but a gentle force supported her. She looked up and saw that the door to the quiet room had opened at some point, and a figure in a blue robe slowly walked out—it was Xu Changqing.
Xu Changqing's gaze remained calm. He first gently helped Zhang Laosan and his wife up, saying, "Don't rush, get up and talk."
At this moment, Chi Mingzi also staggered out of the side room, his Taoist robe tattered, carrying a wine gourd, looking disheveled and as if he hadn't slept well. His gaze swept over Zhang Xiao'e, especially lingering on her eyes when she looked at Xu Changqing. A knowing glint flashed in his eyes, and a playful smile immediately appeared on his lips. He moved closer to Xu Changqing, clicked his tongue with a half-smile, and lowered his voice: "Disciple, is this girl your mistress whom you've hidden here?"
Xu Changqing remained calm, ignoring the teasing remark, and stepped towards the group in the courtyard. His gaze fell on Zhang Xiao'e's face; though she was alarmed, her eyes were clear, unlike ordinary women who would lose their composure in the face of trouble. A thought stirred within him, and he asked, "Xiao'e, what happened? Tell me slowly."
Under his gaze, Zhang Xiao'e's flustered emotions calmed down somewhat. She broke free from her parents' hands, stepped forward, and bowed gracefully, her voice soft yet clear: "Master, I was fortunate enough to receive your medicine last time, and my illness was cured. I should have come to express my gratitude much earlier. However, this afternoon, a sudden misfortune befell my family."
She took a deep breath and clearly recounted the events of the ghostly soldiers arriving at her door, presenting her with a marriage contract, and forcing her into marriage.
The leading underworld official said that he was acting on the orders of the Prefect of Xiangzhou to find a spouse for his son. The marriage contract had been issued, and a sedan chair was to be sent to fetch him on the eleventh day of the fourth month. If he did not comply, his parents' souls would be taken away.
"Xiao'e does not wish to marry a ghost, nor does she wish to bring trouble to her parents." Her voice trembled slightly as she finished speaking, but she still straightened her back, looked up at Xu Changqing, and said with a resolute look in her eyes, "I beg the abbot to have mercy and save my family. If you can help Xiao'e resolve this calamity, Xiao'e is willing to serve the temple for the rest of her life as a slave to repay your great kindness."
Having said that, he bowed deeply. Mr. and Mrs. Zhang also kowtowed repeatedly, pleading with tears streaming down their faces.
Xu Changqing's eyes turned slightly cold after hearing this. The Prefect of Xiangzhou was a powerful figure among the City Gods of the Underworld, in charge of the affairs of the underworld in a prefecture, wielding considerable power. For his son to forcibly marry a living person from the mortal world, and using such coercive and soul-snatching methods, was nothing short of domineering and insidious.
Chi Mingzi strolled over, picked up the marriage invitation, and clicked his tongue twice: "The Prefect of Xiangzhou... that old ghost, he's more extravagant in death than in life. My disciple, your little wife has a special destiny, attracting the attention of the Yin, no wonder those underworld guys have their eyes on her."
Xu Changqing asked, "Master, what do you think should be done about this?"
Chi Mingzi tossed the marriage invitation back onto the stone table, took a swig of wine, and said casually, "They're only marrying her because they value her pure Yin constitution. If you don't want to get involved, let them take her. Anyway, this woman will only cause trouble in the mortal realm sooner or later."
Although Xu Changqing lacked grand ambitions to save the world, he still possessed a strong sense of justice and a willingness to fight injustice. Faced with such a situation, he could not remain indifferent.
So he shook his head. "Master, is there any other way?"
He paused, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, then suddenly grinned and said, "The simplest way is for you to marry her. I see that this girl is full of love for you. If you ask her, she certainly won't refuse."
Xu Changqing remained unmoved, and simply said, "Master is joking. This disciple has not yet achieved the Great Dao and has no interest in this matter."
Chi Mingzi had anticipated this, so he didn't press the matter. He took a swig of wine and changed the subject: "Since you don't want to marry her, then take her under your wing and teach her the true methods. This girl has a special destiny and her aptitude must be exceptional. For cultivators, their sect is their support. No matter how arrogant the son of the Prefect of Xiangzhou is, he wouldn't dare to touch a disciple of my Pure Yang Sect."
Xu Changqing's heart stirred. If he were to take him under his wing, the prefect would have some reservations and would need to think twice.
He looked at Zhang Xiao'e, and the girl was also looking at him, her clear eyes reflecting the sunlight and his figure. She understood what he meant, her breathing quickened slightly, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.
Xu Changqing then asked, "What should be done with the marriage certificate?"
"The marriage certificate," Chi Mingzi waved his hand dismissively, "let them take it back first. Before April 11th, you go there yourself and return it in front of the underworld officials who are there to fetch the bride. If they know what's good for them, they'll let it go. If they don't..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, fleeting yet enough to make the temperature in the entire courtyard drop several degrees.
"Then ask them for me if they recognize the sword of my Pure Yang Sect!"
His tone was calm, yet it exuded an overwhelming confidence and domineering aura.
Xu Changqing took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "Disciple understands, thank you for your guidance, Master."
He turned and walked toward Zhang Laosan's family, who were waiting anxiously. His gaze fell on Zhang Xiao'e's face; the girl had her head tilted back, her pale cheeks flushed slightly with nervousness, but her eyes were clear and firm.
"Zhang Xiao'e," Xu Changqing said, his voice calm.
"Master," Zhang Xiao'e replied hastily, her voice trembling slightly, but without flinching.
"Would you be willing to join my Qingyang Temple, become my disciple, and cultivate the Dao?" Xu Changqing said slowly. "To become my disciple, you must abide by the temple rules, diligently cultivate, and not slack off. Your destiny is special, and there will be many twists and turns in the future; your path of cultivation may not be smooth. If you are willing, I will accept you as my disciple, teach you the Dao, and protect you. If you are not willing, I will still try to find a way to ensure the safety of your family."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiao'e did not hesitate at all. She lifted her skirt, knelt properly on the bluestone ground, and bowed deeply to Xu Changqing.
"I do," she said in a clear, resolute voice. "This disciple wishes to become a disciple of the Abbot, to obey his commands, to abide by the Abbot's rules, to diligently cultivate without ceasing, and to never slacken!"
He bowed deeply, his forehead touching the ground with a soft sound.
Upon seeing this, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang were both overjoyed and saddened, and they knelt down as well, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.
Xu Changqing accepted the bow and then raised his hand slightly, saying, "Get up. Now that you've entered my sect, you are a disciple of the Qingyang Temple. From now on, you should call me Master."
"Yes, Master." Zhang Xiao'e stood up, her hands at her sides. The fear in her eyes had mostly disappeared, replaced by a sense of security that came from finding someone to rely on.
Xu Changqing pondered for a moment, then said, "Now that you've entered the sect, you should have a Daoist name. Your name contains the character 'E' and you were born with a pure Yin constitution, attracting the attention of Taiyin. How about we take the name 'Su'e'?"
A glint of light flashed in Zhang Xiao'e's eyes, and she bowed again: "Thank you, Master, for bestowing upon me this title."
"Alright." Xu Changqing nodded. "In that case, you two go home first and carefully keep the marriage certificate safe. Do not damage it. I will go and handle it before April 11th. Su'e, stay here for now and familiarize yourself with the affairs of the temple. I will first teach you the introductory method to lay a solid foundation."
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang expressed their gratitude profusely, gave their daughter a few more words of advice, and then left, turning back every few steps. Su'e remained in the temple, and Awei and Aling led her to be settled. The courtyard returned to tranquility, with only Xu Changqing and Chimingzi remaining.
A breeze rustled through the pine branches. Red carp in the pond flicked their tails, creating ripples.
Chi Mingzi, carrying his gourd, strolled to the stone table, sat down, tilted his head back, took a swig of wine, squinted at the drifting clouds in the sky, and suddenly said, "That girl's aptitude is indeed quite good. Once she starts cultivating, her progress will be rapid."
"But don't get too cocky, kid," he paused, lowering his voice, "I won't be staying here for more than a few days. I'll probably have to leave soon. That sword madman from Taihua Cave is keeping a close eye on me. If I don't leave soon, he'll probably keep bothering me with endless sword duels, which is really annoying."
He smacked his lips, a look of disdain and helplessness on his face.
"If, at that time, you..." Chi Mingzi changed the subject, "if you offend someone you shouldn't, or if that brat from the Xiangzhou Prefecture is ungrateful and insists on fighting... your foundation is still weak, don't fight head-on. Avoid it when you should. As long as you're alive, you can always rebuild. Understand?"
Xu Changqing nodded: "This disciple understands."
"Good to know." Seeing that he had taken it to heart, Chi Mingzi's expression relaxed again, and he returned to his lazy demeanor. "Alright, I've told you everything that needed to be told. Starting tomorrow, I will formally teach you the methods of sword forging and weapon nurturing."
Xu Changqing responded with a "yes" and turned to leave.