noffsinger Chapter 36 The Great Mystery of All Paths
Chapter 36 The Great Mystery of All Paths
Zhong Xuan opened the thread-bound blue booklet, "Zhengyi Chengming Fufa Lu".
The handwriting is neat and the strokes are sharp; it is Zhang Chengming's experience in talismanic arts written from childhood to adulthood.
It details his journey of talisman cultivation, from learning to draw his first powerful talisman at the age of seven to becoming the Purple-Robed Immortal, including the drawing methods for each type of talisman.
The true meaning, understanding, and methods for improvement are all clearly explained.
The text is filled with the arrogance of a genius in talismanic arts, but it also contains many practical techniques.
While Zhang Chengming may not be considered a top-tier genius in talismanic arts, he is nonetheless a rare talent.
Zhong Xuan flipped through a few pages, feeling delighted.
This booklet is perfect for filling the gaps in his knowledge of talismans.
If combined with the Tai Xuan Xin Hu Illumination Qi Method, it will surely give rise to a more suitable talismanic method.
Compared to head-on combat, using talismans in magic suits his temperament better.
"Brother Monkey, I'll keep this book." Zhong Xuan unceremoniously stuffed it into his robes.
Brother Monkey waved his hand dismissively, clearly disliking the booklet full of words.
The officials and constables on the sidelines were curious but dared not ask too many questions, only glancing at each other furtively, their ears perked up.
Zhong Xuan then picked out a thick book with a blank leather cover.
Although it is blank, it is different from the blank bamboo slips given to him by the Bodhi Patriarch.
Zhong Xuan carefully examined the cover and could sense the author's dedication during his lifetime, almost as if he wanted to entrust the life force of a living person to it—perhaps this is the principle behind those objects that have become sentient over the years.
The subtle workings of Qi are gradually becoming apparent.
If we were to compare it to his previous life, Zhong Xuan felt it was probably the underlying code of the world that was visible to the naked eye.
Moreover, the cover of this thick book was polished to a shine, and a quick glance through it revealed the general contents.
Inside is a record of Zhang Chengming's lifelong experience in slaying demons.
From the time and place of each demon-slaying event to the demons' appearance, weaknesses, and supernatural powers.
The talismans and methods used at the time, as well as the corresponding countermeasures, were all written down clearly.
There are even maps showing the distribution of demons in the four continents.
At the end of the booklet, he wrote his obsessive view that "non-humans are all vile and despicable beasts," and his words were full of hostility. Nevertheless, this could not conceal the preciousness and profoundness of the booklet, which was proof of his footprints in which he had killed thousands of powerful demons and spread across the four continents.
Zhong Xuan was momentarily lost in thought.
Such a person, yet I don't know why he has become so obsessed and fanatical.
Even if it was because of his life-and-death struggle with his father for the position of mountain god, it certainly wasn't the whole reason.
After all, until the Green Ram Horn Mace was exposed, his young body still had no real connection with Zhang Chengming's father-killing feud.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at the monkey next to him.
A thought grew clearer in his mind: he had already interfered with the Great Sage's future path, and therefore he had to take responsibility. He not only had to secure an opportunity for his monkey brother to live forever, but also guide him away from going astray.
Otherwise, Zhang Chengming will serve as a cautionary tale in the future.
"Brother Monkey," Zhong Xuan said softly.
"Brother Ren?" the monkey blinked.
"Don't go out too much these next few days, stay with me," Zhong Xuan said with a smile.
"I'll go with you! I'll go with you!" The monkey was overjoyed; of course it would agree.
Zhong Xuan put the booklet back in his pocket and didn't give it to Brother Monkey.
This is a practical item; it will provide the mountain god with more reference material when he subdues demons in Cuiyun.
The other miscellaneous items, though not as valuable as the two booklets, are still extraordinary.
A token of a purple-robed immortal from Longhu Mountain,
A jade pendant engraved with the character "Zhang".
There were also several bottles of healing and restorative pills, all of which were top-grade from Longhu Mountain.
Seeing that Zhong Xuan had packed his things, the monkey jumped up and down, tugging at his sleeve: "Brother! Let's go to Qingyang Temple! Let's fight the little demons!"
"Alright, alright, you can handle it all." Zhong Xuan's eyes unconsciously revealed his doting affection, but he still carefully instructed, "But before you start, you must let me ask clearly first, so as not to hit an innocent bystander."
The monkey nodded vigorously, without asking what the standard for innocence was.
In any case, anything that has harmed or is about to harm it and others is definitely not innocent—if you can beat it, beat it to death!
We are heading towards Qingyang Temple.
The gray-robed monkey spirit, finding the sight uninteresting, suddenly summoned a gust of demonic wind and swept back.
Meanwhile, in the Cuiyun Mountains, a hundred miles away...
Not long ago.
In the heart of the mountains, in Peach Valley.
Because the area around the Mountain God Temple is hidden behind a dense forest and has a peach grove stream, the old hunters who come and go in the mountains call this place Peach Valley.
After Zhong Xuan's mountain god incarnation defeated the Green Goat Demon, he dragged the goat carcass back with his bare hands.
Just then, the tiger demon arrived on the wind; he seemed to be a kind and righteous person.
"Good heavens, it's huge!" She was shocked when she saw the monster corpse, which was the size of a small house.
I thought it was just an ordinary monster that came knocking, but who knew it was such a ferocious creature.
Look at the size and cultivation of this Green Sheep Spirit; he's far superior to her.
She came to her senses and quickly told them about the monkey running away.
"The little monkey ran away on its own, so don't hit me! Besides, we went through a lot of trouble to drag those big rocks back, and we piled them up on the other side of the valley..."
"I only hit you because I'm bored. I already know about the monkey's affair." Zhong Xuan waved his hand.
"Help me drag this blue sheep back first, and you'll be in for a treat tonight," he said, changing the subject.
"Really?" The tiger demon's eyes lit up.
She leaned closer and sniffed the faint aroma of the severed head, her mouth watering.
"This smell... is it on the grill?"
"Don't you dare steal any food, or I'll beat you."
"No stealing, no stealing! And even if we fight, we have to fight in private, so the little demons don't see us."
"Um?"
"I have my pride too!"
"Who was it that said they were a little tiger last time?"
The human and the demon pulled with all their might, dragging the thousand-pound demon body into the valley.
When I returned to the open space, the scene before me was quite desolate.
The two little demons were covered in blood, their clothes soaked through, and they lay there groaning and moaning.
The old stone toad had several broken pieces on its body, its stone skin peeling off, and it lay forlornly under the tree.
The thin clerk lay motionless on the straw mat, his abdominal wound hastily wrapped with a few strips of cloth.
Upon seeing the mountain god and the tiger demon return, the little creatures immediately found their leader.
When they saw the headless goat demon that had been dragged back, their eyes widened in disbelief.
"This, this... the Mountain God is so amazing!" Rabbit Xiaoyu forgot her back pain and sat up abruptly.
"That's too fierce! Master is even fiercer!" Fox Little Red's eyes lit up, and her tail stood up straight.
Old Stone Clam looked up, and Peach Yaoyao on its head also peeked out.
Several small faces were filled with shock.
The gray-robed monkey spirit standing to the side had actually helped out earlier.
It took care of settling everyone in and gave the thin, skilled worker some simple treatment for his wounds.
Seeing this scene, Feng Lisheng was secretly surprised.
It first glanced at the little calf-like green sheep Taoist boy tied up beside it, then looked at the fierce demonic aura remaining on the small, hut-sized green sheep spirit corpse.
It held the mountain god's abilities in even higher regard!
"Come here, everyone! We're having mutton tonight!" the tiger demon shouted at the top of his lungs, very pleased with himself.
Zhong Xuan ignored her and went straight to the gray-robed monkey spirit, asking about what had just happened.
Beside the two, the young Taoist boy with the green sheep huddled up in a ball, trembling like a leaf.
"How come there's only one left?" Zhong Xuan glanced at it.
The gray-robed monkey spirit scratched his ears and cheeks, looking embarrassed: "It's my fault for being careless. You lured that big sheep demon away, and I was a step too late when I came over."
"Luckily, that old stone toad spat out two breaths of its own life force, freezing those two brats in place, which allowed me to make it in time—"
It paused, then kicked the young Taoist boy with the green sheep.
"Who knew that the other one would earn money so quickly and immediately give me a talisman that immobilizes me. The talisman is of good quality and should be the work of a Taoist master. It actually pinned me to the spot for quite a while."
"When they finally break free, they'll only be able to grab this one unlucky guy."
The gray-robed monkey spirit still looked shaken when he spoke of this.
Zhong Xuan nodded and cupped his hands, saying, "I see. It's all thanks to Fellow Daoist Monkey for his help."
At least one person was left alive; we can get some information out of them.
The gray-robed monkey spirit rolled its eyes, leaned closer, and asked in a low voice, "Mountain God, which deity have you offended? This Green Sheep Demon is only one step away from the Human Immortal realm, and is considered a prominent figure within a radius of several hundred miles. Whoever can persuade it to come out of the mountain must have a very powerful background."
Zhong Xuan didn't reply, his gaze passing over the peach grove and looking towards the darkening eastern horizon.
A moment later, he turned his gaze back to the thin clerk.
Then his gaze swept over the corpse of the blue sheep demon.
Everyone followed his gaze and fell silent.
"This is just the beginning; more bloodshed is to come."
The old Taoist priest spoke calmly, but the demons all trembled upon hearing it.
They all looked at the decapitated blue sheep spirit.
In a daze, I seemed to smell an endless aura of blood—
Just as thunder is hidden in spring rain, so it always has been!
"Little Jade Rabbit, Little Red Fox," Zhong Xuan said.
The two little demons quickly responded.
"Call your relatives and friends to share this sheep carcass. Its thousand-year-old demonic body will be of great benefit to you."
Zhong Xuanfang had just observed the inner lake and saw it clearly.
This green sheep spirit has cultivated for nearly a thousand years and is almost at the level of a great demon, only one step away from the path to immortality.
This demonic body has now been honed to a formidable state, and though dead, it is difficult to decay.
Only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed; what has been lost is merely some vital energy.
There is still a large amount of vital energy accumulating in the flesh, blood, muscles, and bones, which is a great tonic.
Rabbit Xiaoyu was taken aback, but ignoring her back pain, she beamed with joy: "Master is so kind!"
Fox Little Red struggled to get up: "Master, we..."
"You're still injured, so walk slowly on the road," Zhong Xuan waved his hand.
The two little fairies were taken aback and looked at each other in surprise.
Having the spirituality to transform from ordinary beings, they knew that the Mountain God was not "high and mighty," but his kindness and gentleness towards them filled them with fear and trepidation, and at the same time, other thoughts began to grow in their minds.
Zhong Xuan ignored them and turned to instruct, "Tiger, find some wood, carve it into skewers, and skewer this sheep demon separately. Also, find some salt."
"Alright! I smelled that aroma earlier and I was really craving it!" The tiger demon's eyes lit up, and he jumped up to find the knife.
Zhong Xuan ignored the commotion and walked straight to the thin clerk's side.
The skinny man, surnamed Li, was lying on a straw mat.
His face was sallow and his hair was white, like an old piece of yellow paper; the bandage on his abdomen was soaked with blood.
They look so pitiful!
Upon seeing Zhong Xuan approach, Li Gongcao struggled to sit up and bow.
But he was held down by a gentle hand from the mountain god before him.
"Don't move."
Zhong Xuan squatted down, placed his right hand on his abdomen, and a warm magical power slowly seeped in.
Li Gongcao froze, the excruciating pain causing veins to bulge on his forehead and large beads of sweat to roll down his face.
He gritted his teeth and endured it without uttering a sound.
His demeanor and will were far more assertive than they had been two days ago.
A moment later,
Zhong Xuan withdrew his hand, his brows furrowing slightly: "The human body is like a boat, and your boat has a huge hole in the bottom."
Li Gongcao smiled bitterly, the movement causing his wound to twitch: "Master, I'm afraid my life is..."
Zhong Xuan interrupted him: "I have a method that can help you save yourself. Are you willing to try it?"
Li Gongcao was stunned.
He looked down at the wound on his abdomen, then looked up at Zhong Xuan.
In his cloudy eyes, disbelief first appeared, then a layer of tears welled up.
Li Gongcao's throat tightened, but he nodded frantically, "I'm willing! I'm willing!"
Zhong Xuan patted his shoulder, signaling him not to get excited.
Li Gongcao took a few breaths, then suddenly gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "But that Fatty Wang got away! That traitor will definitely report back when he gets back, and then the higher-ups will investigate—"
Zhong Xuan interrupted, "There's no need to belittle yourself. Since you've already repented, you're more worthy than ten or a hundred Wang Pangzis. Let him escape if he wants to."
Li Gongcao was startled.
He stared blankly at Zhong Xuan, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Can someone as insignificant as myself, whom everyone in Heaven can trample on, really receive this kind of care?
The gray-robed monkey spirit squatted not far away and watched this scene unfold.
The monkey's eyes darted around, as if deep in thought.
This mountain god is truly kind and gentle!
His skill in managing people is also extremely sophisticated!
Zhong Xuan said no more, and raised his hand to call out, "Old Stone Toad, come here."
The bluish-gray stone clam slowly moved over.
It was quite intelligent; it let out a deep gurgling sound from its throat, waiting for instructions.
It is simply because it is a spirit born from the mountains and rivers, and is naturally close to the mountain god.
"Spit out a breath of air to seal his wound, so that his blood and qi will not leak out any more."
Zhong Xuan gave instructions.
The old stone toad nodded and opened its mouth, spewing out a cloud of gray mist.
The mist settled on Li Gongcao's abdomen, seeping in bit by bit.
The flesh around the wound turned a pale bluish-gray at a visible speed.
The bleeding stopped immediately!
Li Gongcao let out a long breath and collapsed.
He really thought he was going to die.
"Your injuries have been temporarily relieved; now it's up to fate."
Zhong Xuan took out a scroll from his pocket; it was the Earthly Fiend Technique he had taken from the Green Sheep Spirit.
"This is the Head Regeneration Transformation from the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Techniques—that Green Sheep Demon survived being beheaded several times by me, and its minor injuries healed in the blink of an eye, all thanks to this technique."
Seeing Li Gongcao's delighted expression, he explained, "If you can grasp even a fraction of this, your physical body will regenerate, and there will be hope for your injuries to heal."
Li Gongcao held the scroll in both hands, his voice trembling, "Master, I...I..."
Looking back on the events of the past two days, he wished he could raise his hand and slap himself!
Such a kind and generous elder, he must have been blinded by greed to have repeatedly harmed him.
Only now do I understand how a person should behave.
Zhong Xuan pressed his hand down and casually said, "I'm also about to study this technique. We're fellow Daoists, so we can benefit from each other. If there's anything you don't understand in the future, feel free to discuss it with me and strive for improvement together."
Upon hearing this, the cunning monkey Feng Lisheng's gray-brown eyes suddenly lit up, and he felt a surge of excitement.
It scratched its head and cheeks, deliberately showing a longing look, and asked, "Mountain God! May I listen in and learn from this wonderful method?"
The old mountain god turned and glanced at it, his smile gentle and his gaze warm.
"Of course."
Zhong Xuan said leisurely, "In my path, all karmic connections are determined by one's own actions—if you are not afraid of my karma, then take it."
Feng Lisheng was taken aback and subconsciously took a few steps back.
Upon hearing these words, my spiritual awareness was suddenly awakened.
It seems as if some great terror, ordained by fate, is about to be unleashed!
For a moment it was hesitant and uncertain, and dared not rush forward again.
Zhong Xuan smiled and turned back, ignoring it completely.
He then discussed with Li Gongcao the methods of practicing the art of head regeneration.
The Three Pure Ones' Great Way, Western Buddhism.
These can all serve as a mirror and nourishment for learning.
But he was born from another world and already had his own path.
The Way of the Great Mystery is the Way of All.
Always possessive, always giving what is promised.