Part 2
His meridians had been repaired, yet he looked even more miserable than before.
“While I was at it, I repaired and modified your meridians. I cut out three of them, along with several others that were too heavily damaged. Since they were twisted together and separating them was too much trouble, I simply kneaded them together and formed a new meridian based on your current technique.”
As Yun Wuxiang spoke, he looked at Zhao Sihai with a bit of regret and reproach. “If it weren’t for your body’s poor tolerance, I could have modified all the damaged meridians into a better form. Now, we just have to make do.”
Zhao Sihaiās lips trembled, his voice carrying a quiver from exhaustion. “Thank you for your kindness, Guanzhu.”
“Jin Hongqi is joining our temple. Between him and Mo Yang, I favor Mo Yang more, but he declined my invitation.”
The ball of chains spun in his hand; the black scorpion locked inside was being tossed around. Yun Wuxiang pinched the chain ball, tossed it up and down twice, and continued: “If there is a suitable opportunity in the future, I will still bring him into the Qingdi Guan.”
Because Mo Yang was also a Daozun reincarnation. Given the choice, Yun Wuxiang actually preferred that Jin Hongqi was one; that guy was very good at reading the situation, had a flexible mind, and seemed to have a rather low moral compass. He would likely find it easier to accept the reality of the Qingdi Guan later on.
Jiangzi Daozun had instructed him: Daozun reincarnations should either join the Qingdi Guan or stay peacefully out of the world and maintain a friendly relationship until an opportunity arises to bring them in.
Because having all the Daozun reincarnations kowtow to their own memorial tablets and call them “Ancestors” was Tianqing Daozunās wish.
Yun Wuxiang expressionlessly added that thought in his heart after hearing Jiangzi Daozunās words.
If any Daozun reincarnation stands in opposition to the Qingdi Guan, then eliminate them. No mercy, no holding back.
A reincarnation who hadn’t recovered their memories from their Daozun period was just a disciple with high potential; a Daozun who had recovered their memories would not be an enemy of the Qingdi Guan.
“Mo Yang was born with a Sword Bone; his talent is extraordinary. The Ziyun Sect was originally just a small sect with its highest cultivator being only an Earth Immortal. Later, Mo Yang went on several trials in Secret Realms and brought back heavenly treasures, allowing their Sect Master and elders to gradually reach the Heavenly Immortal realm. Since Mo Yang promoted to Earth Immortal, the Ziyun Sect went from being a support to being a burden for him. Even if he switched sects, it would be only natural.”
“But Mo Yang is an upright man who values loyalty. He grew up in the Ziyun Sect and treats it as his home. He believes that since the sect protected him in his youth, he should protect the sect in return. In reality, the Ziyun Sect only gave him a bowl of rice; everything else Mo Yang obtained through his own talent and strength. Even if he moved to another sect, he would still have obtained those thingsāand likely better than what the Ziyun Sect gave him.”
Zhao Sihai straightened his appearance and said, “If the Guanzhu wants him to join us willingly, the Ziyun Sect would first have to betray Mo Yang or do something that touches his bottom line, something he cannot accept, causing him to leave the sect on his own. That wouldn’t be difficult… itās just that itās not convenient for me to return to the Immortal Realm right now.”
“What did the Ziyun Sect do?” Yun Wuxiang asked. He had previously skimmed through Zhao Sihaiās memories but only extracted things he wanted to know; he didn’t browse everything. After all, he had zero interest in Zhao Sihaiās memories of learning to read as a child.
Skimming like that inevitably meant missing some details.
Zhao Sihai shook his head. “Iām not sure. Nanlin Xianjun once invited Mo Yang to join the Nanlin Sect. As far as I know, many people who refused the invitation just like Mo Yang did ended up being betrayed by their original sects, or the sects themselves suffered ‘accidents.’ In the end, they either joined Nanlin or died in the battles of great experts, or went missing in Secret Realms.”
“The way Mo Yang fell from the Immortal Realm to the mortal world was a bit too unlucky. If I just tell him this, he probably won’t believe it. We still need to give him some evidence.”
A scent of conspiracy drifted from Zhao Sihaiās smile. “Whether the Ziyun Sect betrayed him or not isn’t important. Evidence can always be found.”
“Mo Yangās perception of conspiracies is almost zero. As long as the story is reasonable, heāll believe it even if itās a lie from a toddler.”
He was basically saying Mo Yang was an idiot who was easy to fool.
“You and Jin Hongqi go and investigate this clearly. If itās true, bring Mo Yang back and let him face reality,” Yun Wuxiang issued the mission.
“May I ask, Guanzhu… have I done something wrong to displease you?” Zhao Sihai couldn’t smile anymore and asked cautiously.
Jin Hongqi and Mo Yang were close friends. Yun Wuxiang knew that he had stabbed Mo Yang once. Letting him travel with Jin Hongqi meant the latter would definitely take the opportunity to seek revenge.
Moreover, his cultivation was no match for Jin Hongqi. He would definitely be the one suffering.
“I can repair the buildings to their original state. Could the Guanzhu give me another chance?” Zhao Sihai tried to struggle.
“No. No one in the temple is more suitable than him.” Yun Wuxiang refused heartlessly. There were only a few people in the sect right now, and Jin Hongqi was the only pure Immortal cultivator.
Zhao Sihai: “But I am currently a demonic cultivator.”
“I will help you disguise yourself as an Immortal cultivator.” Free conversion between Immortal and Demonic techniques was still a work in progress, but Yun Wuxiangās research wasn’t for nothing. If he could make the animals on Hidden Wind Island adapt to Demonic Qi, he could make Zhao Sihai live just fine in the Immortal Realm.
“Additionally, there is one more thing. Establish a Qingdi Guan in the Immortal Realm. Song Yilouās clones will find their way there on their own.” Before Yun Wuxiangās voice fell, a wisp of Yin Qi drifted from the chain ball, stretching into a humanoid form that draped over his shoulder like a resentful ghost sucking the essence out of a man.
“Guanzhu, I don’t object to you using my clones, but you must definitely ‘kill the donkey once the grinding is done.'” Song Yilou was ruthless when it came to sabotaging his own clones. “Don’t give them a single benefit, and definitely don’t meet with them.”
Yun Wuxiang: “You have too many clones. I only want the most valuable one. What advantage do you think you have?”
Without a word, Song Yilou tore open his collar. “I can use my charms to whisper sweet nothings in your ear!”
“Zero value.” Yun Wuxiang coldly pushed away the head that was leaning in.
Footsteps approached from a distance. It was Liu Zhu running back. This child still hadn’t adapted to his newly acquired cultivation; he relied on his legs for everything.
Liu Zhu was almost there. Yun Wuxiang said to Zhao Sihai, “Since you intend to get closer to Liu Zhu, then be a ‘good Senior Brother’ in front of him for the rest of your life.”
“I certainly will.” Zhao Sihai sounded like he was replying, but also like he was telling himself.
For someone used to conspiracy and disguise, his interpersonal relationships would always be mixed with his own goals.
Zhao Sihai was not Yun Wuxiangās disciple; he was a prisoner of war or a slave under contractāsomeone who was optional and not irreplaceable.
His friendship with Liu Zhu was also about stabilizing his own position. Jin Hongqiās arrival made him even firmer in this thought; he needed someone on his side when Jin Hongqi came looking for trouble.
Moreover, in this world, only “Brother Bear” and Junior Brother Liu Zhu had any sincerity toward him.
“Shifu, Iām back! How is Senior Brother Zhao?” Liu Zhu had changed his clothes and run back. His clothes were clean, but his face hadn’t been washed properlyāblue-black ash marks remained on his cheeks, and his hair had been singed into curls.
Zhao Sihai looked at the spots on Liu Zhuās face and was about to remind him when he heard Yun Wuxiang speak: “Letās go. Follow me to meet your Eldest Senior Brother.”
“Eldest Senior Brother?”
“Hello. I am Shen Lanqing.” The young man, as gentle as jade, wore a soft and friendly smile. The gaze he looked down with carried a hint of amusement.
“Hello, Eldest Senior Brother. My name is Liu Zhu.” Liu Zhu replied obediently, though his dirty face made him look a bit comicalālike a cat that had crawled into a furnace for warmth in winter and had its fur scorched and blackened by coal fire.
Shen Lanqingās smile deepened. “Junior Brother Liu Zhu.”
Only after the ritual of worshipping the ancestors was complete did Yun Wuxiang allow Liu Zhu to meet Shen Lanqing. At this moment, he was arranging the freshly minted Disciple Jade Tablets.
The tablets were in three rows. Yun Wuxiangās own was at the top. Shen Lanqingās and Liu Zhuās were arranged in order directly below. Beside them was a string of names like Dange 1, Dange 2, Zongzi, and some other animal names. Jin Hongqi was at the very back.
No matter how he looked at it, Jin Hongqi felt the placement of these tablets was a bit off. Like… why was there so much empty space next to them? And those Dange… what kind of family was this fertile, and so lazy with naming?
But even with these Dange names added, the number of tablets here was still pathetically low for a great sect.
“Guanzhu, how many fellow disciples does our Qingdi Guan have now?”
Yun Wuxiang: “The ones you see here.”
Jin Hongqi: !!???
This was quite different from what he had imagined. What happened to the “mysterious great sect”?
“The Qingdi Guan previously only accepted a small number of disciples. Every single one had the potential of a Daozun.”
Yun Wuxiang remained unmoved under his questioning gaze, elegantly arranging the Jade Tablets. “Shifu passed away not long ago. Before she left, she told me that the Qingdi Guan must become the number one sect in the Immortal Realm. This will be your goal to work toward in the future.”
The ceremony was over, the names were officially recorded, and the people were unable to run. Yun Wuxiangās intent to be a hands-off manager was immediately exposed.
Jin Hongqi: “Hahaha, Guanzhu, you really know how to joke… Wait, this isn’t right! Iām just a Heavenly Immortal; I can’t shoulder such a heavy responsibility!”
“You are now eligible to enter the Ancestral Inheritance Ground. Weāll talk about everything else once you come out.”
Yun Wuxiang: “Don’t tell me you don’t want to become an Immortal Lord. If so, I can expel you from the sect immediately.”
Jin Hongqi: “…”
He took a deep breath and cupped his hands. “Disciple Jin Hongqi is willing to contribute his meager strength to the ancestors!”
Translator’s Note:
Cultural and Cultivation Terms:
- Jade Tablets (ēē¢): Also known as soul tablets or sect registries. In many cultivation novels, having your name on a jade tablet means you are officially part of the sect’s lineage and fortune.
- Seven Emotions (äøę ): As explained, these are the core human emotions. Yun Wuxiang’s soul is “soil without flowers,” meaning he has the capacity but not the actual feelings yet.
- Dual Cultivation (éäæ®): Song Yilou is really pushing for this. In this context, it’s about merging their energies.
- Peach Blossom Tribulation (ę”č±å«): A romantic entanglement that brings disaster. Shen Lanqing is still recovering from his “plot-mandated” heartbreak.
- Kill the donkey once the grinding is done (åøē£Øę®ŗé©¢): A classic idiom meaning to get rid of someone once they are no longer useful. Song Yilou is surprisingly eager to do this to his own clones!
- Pig Head: A common Chinese insult for someone whose face is swollen from being beaten.
Recommended Reads
