PDLP Chapter 71 The Powder Keg Erupts
Chapter 71 The Powder Keg Erupts
Thirty-three heavens beyond, high and distant.
Amidst the misty sea of clouds, a simple and elegant palace floats in the air.
A beam of clear light suddenly descended, transforming into the form of Laozi.
He flicked his whisk lightly and strode into the hall.
On the cloud bed, the Goddess Nuwa was shrouded in a hazy golden light of merit, her face indistinct. One could only sense that her aura was kind and gentle, yet also revealed a kind of wisdom and curiosity as if the world had just been created. All things are immutable, but this golden nature is eternal.
"What brings Laozi here today?"
Nuwa's voice was gentle and soothing, yet deep and resonant, as she asked curiously, "Could it be about the recent disturbances in the heavenly secrets?"
Lao Tzu calmly took his seat and spoke slowly, as if singing and echoing: "Yes, and no."
He then recounted the whole story in detail.
A letter arrived from a single green Bodhi leaf.
A relationship has suddenly become fraught with unexpected twists and turns.
The various causes and effects gradually became entangled in a rather strange way.
Nuwa, initially curious, listened intently, her aura shimmering slightly as she finally revealed a hint of surprise, asking in astonishment, "How can a mere Taoist priest disturb the destiny of heaven and earth?"
Laozi nodded: "This old Daoist also does not know whether Bodhi intentionally or unintentionally allowed that Daoist to mingle with the monkey... However, when I sent the Green Ox to observe on my behalf, I felt that the secrets of Heaven were disturbed as a result, which surprised me greatly. You must know..."
He lowered his voice and lowered his eyes.
For a moment, it felt as if the entire world around us was pressing down.
Laozi, looking somewhat dazed, continued, "These five elders from the five directions—the Buddha of the West, the Guanyin of the South Pole, and the ancient Taoist Dipankara, among others—have already surpassed others in power in the West..."
"It should be known that the world and its universe have been in constant flux, with countless eons passing by, and in each immeasurable eon, an unknown amount of time is consumed..."
"With each passing kalpa, something is quietly accumulating, waiting for an even greater calamity..."
"Now that a new great calamity is approaching, everyone has their own thoughts... That is why I have come here, and that is why I am puzzled."
Lao Tzu spoke plainly and didn't bother to hide anything.
In this palace, in this hall, in this place.
With only him and Nuwa present, how could there be a third pair of ears?
Nuwa frowned, then suddenly waved her hand.
Then a nearby bronze mirror shimmered with light.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of scenes flashed by.
Among them are various changes in Cuiyun Mountain, but the picture is not very clear, as if it is partially obscured by clouds and mist.
Nuwa immediately understood that someone didn't want her to see things clearly.
Then she spoke again, her voice soft yet tinged with resentment: "Didn't you all already discuss and agree upon the matter of traveling west to promote Buddhism with the Three Pure Ones and the Heavenly Emperor? You've also made several deals with those people, intending to use the stone monkey's mischief as a pretext for Buddhism to flourish in eight hundred years... How do you and Bodhi's actions compare to those of that Taoist priest?"
Lao Tzu smiled calmly: "Whether it's Taoism or Buddhism, they are merely paths of teaching and enlightenment, seeking to bring about change and life for all beings in the face of immeasurable calamities. We follow the will of Heaven and fulfill our destiny, merely to establish order and bring peace. The journey to the West is indeed necessary, but..."
Nuwa's eyes flickered, awaiting the next development.
Lao Tzu continued, "Since the ancient times when all races vied for supremacy, and the dragon and phoenix faded into obscurity, humanity gradually flourished. The goddess used this opportunity to create humans and attain enlightenment through her merit..."
Nuwa remained silent, seemingly displeased.
Lao Tzu changed the subject slightly: "After the Investiture of the Gods, the order of immortals and gods was established, and the rules of the Three Realms became clear, making the Way of Heaven manifest and all things orderly—the Empress also contributed to this, and was even tired enough to suffer the disrespect of King Zhou."
Nuwa remained silent for a moment. Recalling the old stories of the Investiture of the Gods, she realized how many old friends had passed away. In this moment, she felt more sorrow than joy.
"Speak plainly, what is the purpose of Laozi's arrival?"
Nuwa's tone gradually faded.
Laozi changed the direction of the whisk in his bosom before saying, "The wonder lies in the fact that I have been observing the secrets of heaven day and night. I have seen that this Taoist's cause and effect are complicated and entangled, and that Bodhi has led him to take a detour, making his fate obscure and clear."
"The workings of destiny are now so subtle that even a sage could not fully comprehend them. Therefore, I have come to inquire—where exactly has that elusive thread of change landed?"
Nuwa finally raised her eyes, a strange light appearing in them.
She originally did not intend to interfere in the westward journey.
This is because of the previous two rounds: firstly, the merit of creating humankind made her transcendent; secondly, the old story of the Investiture of the Gods ultimately required a corresponding price to be paid.
Therefore, she shouldn't and shouldn't participate in this westward journey, but what if there's an opportunity...?
Lao Tzu rose and lightly flicked his whisk: "I still remember the valiant figure of the Empress back then. Her merit in creating humankind is immeasurable, and she was able to elevate you to transcend the heavens... However, even we, the Three Pure Ones, the World Honored Ones, truly have to compete for some things even if we don't want to. Therefore, I recount this today, simply for the sake of peace of mind."
As the words fell, the figure gradually blurred.
It turns out that the Taoist arts and supernatural powers had become increasingly profound and obscure in the hands of Laozi. People may appear to be still there, but they may have disappeared without a trace at some point.
Seeing this, Nuwa sat alone on her cloud bed and remained silent for a long time.
Outside the palace, the sea of clouds surged, seemingly unchanged since time immemorial.
She suddenly chuckled softly and looked up at the sky:
"The will of Heaven is far-reaching and difficult to fathom."
"Although I am reluctant to get too involved in cause and effect, it is not impossible to test the waters and observe the changes."
Having said that, she lowered her eyes and focused her mind, drawing out a wisp of divine light from between her brows and forcing out a drop of the Holy Mother's blood from the tip of her heart.
He walked back to the side of the hall, took a handful of seven-colored soil, and pinched out a drop of water and soil essence.
Light, blood, and earth mingled and flowed in the palm of the hand, gradually transforming into a wisp of mist. Within it, a fox-shaped phantom could be faintly seen, its nine tails swaying, and its features bearing a striking resemblance to Nuwa.
"have not seen you for a long time."
A complex look appeared in Nuwa's eyes as she gazed at the wisp of soul with a touch of nostalgia, and then gently blew on it.
A wisp of mist instantly transformed into a stream of light, piercing through the clouds and mist, heading straight down to the lower realm—landing in a desolate and treacherous area of Xiniu Hezhou.
……
……
Xiniu Hezhou, above the Cloud Road.
Zhong Xuan rode the wind.
With robes fluttering in the wind, the landscape unfolds beneath my feet like a scroll painting.
Mountains, rivers, and cities shrank into blurry patches of color, rushing past on both sides of the field of vision.
His speed gradually decreased, and the wind weakened.
Zhong Xuan channeled his magical power to depict the true form and meaning of the wind. The scattered magical power formed a special attractive array, summoning wind from a wider area.
With the help of the gentle breeze, he seemed to move as if each step was dozens of meters, continuing to fly forward with ease and comfort.
At the same time, Zhong Xuan looked around. Below him was a rolling hill covered with dense trees. An official road ran through it like a gray line, and the outline of a city could be vaguely seen in the distance.
Zhong Xuan thought to himself, "We've already passed the Thorn Ridge, so this area must be close to the Kingdom of Zhu Zi."
He briefly calculated the distance again,
Cuiyun Mountain is tens of thousands of miles away from Lingshan Mountain. The journey involves passing through Jisaiguo, Jingjiling, Xiaoleiyin, Zhuziguo, Shituoling, and Biqiuguo.
Then, they entered the territory of India.
The journey will also pass through Fengxian County, Yuhua County, Jinping Prefecture, Bujin Temple, and Diling County...
If the memories of the past life are accurate, and the things heard in this life are also correct, then the journey will probably be along this route.
Zhong Xuan's gaze fell upon the clouds ahead, as if he were about to fly straight towards them.
Suddenly, his brow twitched slightly.
Is there something in the wind?
Zhong Xuan observed the changes in the surrounding energy and quickly determined that these were not ordinary changes.
A few faint, almost imperceptible wisps of energy, like fish swimming beneath the surface of water, were quietly approaching.
They glided through the surrounding air, subtly enveloping you with malice, yet they thought themselves hidden.
Zhong Xuan's face remained unchanged, but his body stopped moving forward and began to slowly descend.
Because this method is indeed secretive.
I can't see their figures, but I can smell their scent.
But one thing they forgot was the tremors in the ground.
Zhong Xuan was serving as the mountain god in Cuiyun Mountain. Unwilling to rely solely on and be bound by the power of the mountain god's seal, he began to study how to manipulate and truly become a mountain and water deity who did not need the Heavenly Court's seal.
Thus, this change in the land was incorporated into his "Tai Xuan Zhao Qi Fa" (太玄照气法), becoming one of the normal phenomena that he observed daily, like a clear mirror reflecting the surrounding area for miles.
It can reflect the blue sky above and feel the earth below.
The current Tai Xuan Illumination Qi Method is already equivalent to version 2.0 of the previous version.
Zhong Xuan's heart skipped a beat.
We'll see what it is that would have malicious intent towards him.
As soon as Zhong Xuan landed, the instant his toes touched the grass, his divine will silently dissipated.
It was as gentle as a spring breeze, spreading out in all directions close to the ground.
The landscape appeared in my mind like an ink painting.
Dozens of miles ahead lies the city of Zhu Zi Kingdom.
Not far to his right, an official road meandered by, with tea stalls and pedestrians scattered along its sides.
Further away, rolling hills rise and fall, covered in dense forests.
There seems to be nothing unusual, or rather, the unusual thing is well hidden.
Zhong Xuan did not look in the direction where the three people were hiding.
I was just thinking, is this some kind of highway robbery?
Unlike the wind-controlling technique just now, which would deter ordinary monsters from daring to charge at it.
So, was it a chance encounter with bad guys? Or was it revenge?
Zhong Xuan pondered for a moment, then strolled leisurely toward the official road.
……
At the same moment, deep in the dense forest.
Three figures were hidden in the shadows of the trees, their invisibility talismans completely enveloping them.
One person was squatting, one was kneeling, and one was leaning against a tree trunk.
The three exchanged hand gestures, their voices flowing silently between them.
One of them transmitted his voice, gritting his teeth, "That mountain god is truly despicable, making us chase him for so long."
The other person hesitated, "Brother Wei, he's at the Human Immortal realm. Can we really defeat him?"
The third person scoffed telepathically: "A human immortal? Immortals are nothing, just a fart."
The man who had spoken earlier chimed in, "That's right, Brother Wang Lin truly lives up to his reputation as a member of the Wang faction of the Celestial Masters Sect. You should know that good treasures and supernatural powers are what make them truly powerful! Some magical treasures can trap you inside with just a word, leaving you helpless and unable to call for help."
Wang Lin said smugly, "I also have a magic weapon that can kill people from thousands of miles away with a single bow, and powerful supernatural abilities that allow me to enter and exit the azure sky, summoning souls and capturing spirits. No matter what level of immortal you are, I can take you down in one move... Brother Han, don't be afraid."
The hesitant man, surnamed Han, composed himself and asked telepathically, "Shall we proceed as agreed?"
Wei Xian replied, "Of course. You will jump out first to confuse him and lure him into the trap. Then I will pretend to expose myself and launch a sneak attack. When he thinks it's just the two of us working together, he will look at the third person, and then Brother Wei will make the move and take him down in one fell swoop."
Wang Lin nodded slightly.
Wei Xian's tone became enthusiastic again: "In that case, Brother Wang Lin will be able to take this great credit! Go back and show it off in the Celestial Masters Sect. Maybe you'll become their direct disciple, and you'll also receive a reward from above to save your consumptive sister."
Han Yi hesitated for a moment, then nodded emphatically.
The three fell silent, their gazes fixed on the official road, their killing intent growing stronger.
This is the way of the world.
However, after a short while...
Zhong Xuan walked slowly along the roadside.
Suddenly, shouts came from ahead, followed by a woman's shrill screams.
"Help! Help!"
A woman stumbled and ran from the corner of the official road, her clothes disheveled, her hair askew, and her face covered in tears and dust.
She ran unsteadily, losing one of her shoes somewhere, revealing her fair and delicate little feet.
Behind her followed a boar demon, its body enormous, its mane bristling like steel needles, two tusks protruding from its mouth, and a nine-toothed rake in its hand.
The pig demon was chasing after it at a leisurely pace, as if it were toying with its prey, not in a hurry to swallow it whole.
When the woman saw Zhong Xuan, hope ignited in her eyes.
"Master Taoist! Master Taoist, save me!"
She ran desperately towards Zhong Xuan!
At this moment, Zhong Xuan was dressed in a flowing robe, which looked simple, but his hands were empty and his body was spotless... How could he be ordinary?
Zhong Xuan stopped, his gaze sweeping over the woman's face before landing on the pig demon behind her.
He looks a bit like Pigsy from Journey to the West...
However, it's still a long way off, so it can be considered a coincidence.
……
at the same time.
Cuiyun Mountain, at the intersection of the north and south mountain roads.
The cloth tent of the tea stall fluttered in the wind, several tables were empty, teacups were still on the tables, and the tea on the tables had gone cold.
The old man selling tea and his granddaughter huddled behind a pillar, their faces pale. Beside them stood a small snake demon, holding a steel fork, seemingly ready to stab the grandfather and granddaughter at any moment.
Zhong Xuan and Rakshasa stood together in the middle of the crossroads.
A young woodcutter was striding toward him.
The young man carried a scythe in his hand, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight. His pace quickened, and he almost ran towards the young man.
"Prepare to die!"
Ignoring everything else, the young woodcutter was about to bring his axe down on his head.
Zhong Xuan slightly shifted his body to dodge, ready to retaliate.
"then!"
The Rakshasa woman did not want to make a move easily, but suddenly drew out the soft sword that she usually kept in her belt as a waistband and threw it over.
"Thank you, Yunniang."
Zhong Xuan turned around with a bright smile, took the soft sword, and his expression immediately turned fierce.
Young man, young man.
Since this body has the appearance of a young man, it should act like a young man.
Zhong Xuan's thoughts were naturally open and honest, and a fierce courage arose in his heart.
The opponent swung his axe three times in a row.
That doesn't count.
The young woodcutter snarled, "You dare fight back!"
Zhong Xuan's soft sword wrapped around the edge, deflecting the force of the axe blow; it was quite amusing to hear.
After several rounds of fighting, the two separated by a distance.
Zhong Xuan paused, then asked strangely, "Who are you? You attacked me without a word, and not only did you try to kill me, you even questioned why I dared to fight back?"
The young woodcutter just laughed loudly: "This Emerald Cloud Mountain won't be occupied by you lot. We'll clip the wings of you mountain gods first, then come back and kill the mountain gods who return later!"
Zhong Xuan narrowed his eyes.
I see……
Is the powder keg finally about to explode after all this buildup?
These guys are well-informed; they probably learned the time from other mountain and water deities. Seeing that the Green Cloud Mountain God hadn't been punished, they were about to take action.