117 Qingcheng · Chen Tai Zhen

  Immortals all have their own pride, even if they want to accept the other as a disciple, it is impossible for them to rush up and ask the other to pay homage. At most, they will intentionally reveal a few magical techniques and say some words like "you and I are destined" or "you are one of my Taoist people".

  Because of the dwarf Zhu Mei secretly disturbing the heavenly machine, Luo Lü's fate became dark and was about to be cut off. This caused Fumo True Person Jiang Shu, who was bitterly cultivating in the cave, to have a heart attack, and he calculated that his future disciple would encounter difficulties. Therefore, he specially sent Chen Tai Zhen to protect Luo Lü. Chen Tai Zhen naturally also had the reserve of an immortal and wouldn't take the initiative to explain her intentions. Instead, she proposed to apply for the position of martial artist in the Luo family, following Master's arrangement, first observing his temperament and character, waiting until everything conformed to the Qingcheng Sect's standards for accepting disciples before telling him the truth.

  Luó Sùn had been fond of martial arts since childhood, and spent a large amount of family wealth to invite famous heroes and skilled swordsmen to be his teachers, earning him the nickname "Little Mèng Zōu" like Táo Jūn. After Chen Tai Zhen was summoned to the Luo Mansion, he showed off his Hundred Steps Divine Fist skills by punching a brick three zhang away into pieces in mid-air.

  The little gatekeeper hurriedly went to invite Master Luo Yu out. This year, Luo Yu was only 16 years old, with a tall and slender figure, wearing a yellow shirt, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist. His eyes were long and narrow, shining brightly in the dark. Hearing that a superior person had arrived outside the door, he hurriedly came out to check. He was much more clever than Tao Jun. Whenever there was a martial artist coming, he would first observe their martial arts skills to determine whether they were genuine or not. If they were not deceiving people, he would invite them in as a guest and provide food for them. After some time, he would observe their character and personality. If they were truly chivalrous, he would kowtow and become their apprentice; otherwise, he would drive them out.

  Chen Tai Zhen once again employed the Quan Long Shen Gong, using his true energy to move a boulder through the air. Luo Huan watched with great joy and excitement, just as he was about to invite him into the courtyard, Yue Qing strode over with large strides and said: "What's the use of these worldly skills, no matter how well you practice them? First, they can't grant eternal life or stay in the world. Second, they can't dispel disasters or troubles. Even if you practice for a lifetime, by the time you reach old age, you'll still be nothing but a frail and feeble old man, ending up with empty fists!"

  The little servant of the Na Luo family jumped out from behind: "How did this Taoist come again?"

  Yue Qingdao said: "Your family has already been invaded by evil spirits, and the demon is right in front of you without realizing it. The disaster may not be far away!"

  Young Master Zhang was about to curse, but was stopped by Luo Hua. He looked at Yue Qing and the extraordinary bearing of You Huo behind him, unlike ordinary charlatans, so he tidied up his clothes and paid respects to Yue Qing: "I, Luo Hua, have met the Taoist master. My family's charitable tradition has been passed down for generations, we often repair bridges and roads, give out porridge and rice, and our home has always been peaceful. You say my family is haunted by evil spirits, what evidence do you have?"

  Yue Qingdao said: "There is a martial artist in your household, did you see him this morning?"

  Luo Luan said: "Shen Wu practiced his skills last night and injured his lung meridian. He is now recovering in his room."

  Yue Qingdao said: "That's right, he is now a demon, and now he is recuperating from his injuries in your home. Once his injuries are healed, he will rise up and devour people."

  Chen Tai Zhen looked up and down at Yue Qing, unable to see through his depth, so she asked: "May I ask the Taoist priest's surname and full name?"

  Yue Qing looked at him and smiled: "I am a Qi-refining Master of the Taiyi Palace on Mount Wutai, my surname is Yue and my name is Qing!"

  Chen Tai Zhen had been in seclusion on the Nine Peaks Mountain with Jiang Shu since he started learning Taoism, and was not very aware of what was happening in the north. The branch of Jiang Shu's family had a falling out with Zhu Mei from the Golden Whip Cliff, and they no longer had any contact with each other. They were even more unfamiliar with people from the Emei Sect. As a result, Chen Tai Zhen's knowledge was limited. He only knew that the Wutai Sect and the Emei Sect were sworn enemies. He also remembered his master saying that the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect would be allies in the future, supporting each other after they established their own sects. Additionally, he had heard many bad things about the Wutai Sect from others, which gave him a strong impression that they were an evil cult. Therefore, when Yue Qing claimed to be from Mount Wutai, Chen Tai Zhen immediately became tense: "Brother Yue has not met Master Shen Wu before, how did you know he was an evil spirit?"

  That young fellow also said: "Exactly! Master Shen Wu has been in our mansion for half a year, and he is very kind. How can you slander him with empty words? I think this Taoist priest is the evil spirit!"

  Luó Sù was also very unhappy, he had invited dozens of martial artists, but in the end only one Shēn Chún remained, it can be seen that his martial arts and character were all top-notch, now being said to be a demon, he naturally did not want to, his face also turned cold.

  Yue Qing smiled and said, "Your Shěn Wǔ Shī was harmed by a demon last night at midnight. This person is an outsider who has peeled off Shěn Wǔ Shī's skin and put it on himself, transforming into his appearance..."

  That little fellow immediately retorted: "One listen is a scam! Who has the skin of others peeled off and put on their body to become like the other party? If you say so, peeling off a pig's skin and putting it on your body, wouldn't you become a pig?"

  "What you said is right, but it's not just pigs. If you peel off the skin of humans and animals under the sky, they can all be transformed by magic."

  Chen Taizhen said loudly, "You Taoist are talking nonsense!" He turned to Luo Hua and said, "To be honest, I was also a monk since childhood, defeated by the leader of Qingcheng Sect, Jiang Shou. I have been cultivating in Jiufeng Mountain for many years, but I have never heard of such a spell!"

  Yue Qing looked at him with disdain: "How many years of Taoist practice do you have? You dare to speak in front of me? The world is vast, and there's nothing strange about it. There are many things you haven't seen! He turned to Luo Luan, "I came here yesterday and told you that the dark energy is covering this courtyard, and disaster will befall. But this little guy didn't listen. Now, Shen Wu has been killed. If your master is as foolish as him, who knows how many more people will die at the hands of that evil spirit!"

  Luó Sù still didn't believe it and ordered his men: "Go get two taels of silver to give to this Taoist priest, and add some incense in front of the image of the Three Pure Ones!"

  "Slow!" Yue Qing said, "I have been cultivating for hundreds of years and have never lacked gold and silver to spend. This time is also intended to exorcise demons, not to beg at the door. Since you don't believe it, there's nothing that can be done. As the saying goes, 'good advice is hard to give to a ghost who should die', I'll take my leave!"

  "Wait a minute, Master Luo," Yu Huang said to Luo Yi. "My master is truly a man of great virtue and ability. Last night at the Zhu residence, he subdued an evil spirit and beheaded Feng Wu, a demonic person from the Yin Yang Sect. I witnessed it with my own eyes." He slapped his palm on the wall of the Luo residence, leaving a handprint behind. "I'm just like you, Master Luo - I've been fascinated by martial arts and the supernatural since childhood. After searching for many years, I finally arrived here yesterday and met my master, who told me that your household has an evil presence. When your servant chased him away, Zhu Yuanwai invited him to stay, and I followed him secretly to verify the truth. I saw with my own eyes how my master sat in a room, controlling two flying swords to behead the demonic person, and finally used a large ring of fire to burn the demon to death. My master has no grudge against you and is not greedy for wealth or riches. Just now, Zhu Yuanwai gave him a reward of one hundred taels of silver, but my master only took twelve taels. He would never deceive you! If he says your household has an evil presence, it's probably true. You should think carefully about this - if what my master said is indeed the case and he has already left, then when the time comes, you will be unable to call for help even if you shout to heaven or earth!"

  He simply said goodbye to Luo Lian and prepared to leave with Yue Qing.

  Chen Tai Zhen snorted coldly on the side: "Don't say that you and your master are just trying to scare people, even if there really is some kind of evil spirit or demon, with me here, I absolutely won't let them stir up trouble!"

  Nalo Kuai's heart moved, he told Yue Qing that his master was a demon and felt very uncomfortable, but had a good impression of You Huo. You Huo's kung fu was not weak, able to slap a palm print on the green brick wall with one hand, although far inferior to Chen Tai Zhen, it was enough to be his own master. Moreover, he spoke truthfully and sincerely, if what he said was true, regardless of whether there was a demon or not, this person was worth befriending. Therefore, he quickly walked down the stairs: "I'm not that I don't believe in Daozhang's words, it's just that Shiwu Master has been with me day and night, teaching me martial arts, suddenly hearing about it, my heart can't accept it, please forgive me." Then he said to You Huo, "Your martial arts are powerful, I'm eager to learn from you, if you're willing to teach me, I'll be grateful!" After finishing speaking, he bowed deeply and saluted.

  Yu Hu looked at Yue Qing, waiting for him to make a decision. After a moment of contemplation, Yue Qing finally spoke up: "You're only willing to learn martial arts from my disciple and don't even believe what I say. Normally, with my temperament, I would have left long ago. But the evil spirit in your household is truly formidable, and if it were to go on a rampage, the innocent people nearby might fall victim to its evil clutches. Therefore, I won't hold anything else against you."

  Luó Sù hastily invited the two to enter the courtyard together with Chen Tai Zhen, ordering people to clean up the east wing and provide accommodations for the three. However, Chen Tai Zhen was unwilling: "I'm ashamed to share a roof with swindling Jianghu masters, where does Shen Wu Shi live? I can stay with him, we can be martial friends in daily life, and if there's really any evil spirit or demon, I'll take care of it for you with one sword!"

  Luo Luan then arranged for him to go to the Western Courtyard where Shen Wu Shi lived.