Chapter 160: Ten Years of Fishing

Xuanyuan Qingfeng and her group entered Yunshang Mountain, taking a secluded path to search for spiritual objects. Besides the young prodigy from the Song family and a saber-wielding youth, the Xuanyuan family contingent included over ten elite retainers. As the ancestral home of Taoism, Mount Longhu was a place where no one dared to cause trouble. Xuanyuan Qingfeng, hailing from a martial arts family, had a strong foundation, yet walking along the rocky terrain was still arduous. In contrast, Song Keli, the scholar well-versed in classics, moved with unexpected ease and grace, stepping lightly over rocks and streams. His movements were so nimble it seemed as if he had mastered advanced internal cultivation techniques, reaching a state of natural simplicity. This caused the young saber master to shed his initial disdain and observe him carefully.

They had walked for two hours without realizing it. On this trip, Xuanyuan Qingfeng was searching for three spiritual objects: the great horned salamander. While giant salamanders were not uncommon, one with horns on its forehead was extremely rare. The second item was the red-backed newt, and the third was the black-footed snow ferret. The latter two were relatively easy to find, but the great horned salamander was a creature of legend, said in ancient texts to grow horns after a hundred years and transform into a mountain flood dragon after five hundred more. Xuanyuan Qingfeng didn't expect to succeed on this single attempt, as she had already diligently searched the mountain dozens of times.

While resting on a rock, Song Keli glanced at the sky and smiled. "Miss Xuanyuan," he said, "if we don't return soon, we might have to spend the night on the mountain." Xuanyuan Qingfeng hummed in acknowledgment. The trip had yielded little; they had only managed to catch a few newts and hadn't encountered a single black-footed snow ferret. This was understandable, as these creatures typically emerged only at night. They resembled foxes but possessed natural musk, which was highly prized for ladies' sachets, though the extraction process was quite bloody and cruel. Xuanyuan Qingfeng gently poked the cute newts in their glass bottle, thinking it was probably time to head back. Just then, the taciturn young saber master squinted into the depths of the forest and calmly stated, "Another five *li*."

Song Keli offered a gentle smile, noncommittal. Xuanyuan Qingfeng looked at the confident saber master, remembering her father had once said that this person's intuition was remarkably keen, a rare trait. After a moment's thought, she nodded and agreed, "Then let's walk another five *li*."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng did not forget to turn to Song Keli, asking, "Young Master Song, are you up to it?" Song Keli smiled, "I can still walk."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng stood up, let out a breath, and led the way.

Still finding nothing, Xuanyuan Qingfeng was about to turn and leave the mountain when, from a distance, she spotted a small, emerald green pool. The water was a deep, clear green, and though not large, it was clearly very deep. Even stranger, a Taoist priest sat cross-legged by the pool, his back to them.

Song Keli frowned. The young saber master let out a cold laugh.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng had no concerns about evildoers on Mount Longhu, especially with over ten skilled bodyguards at her side, which put her even more at ease. She lightly leaped over several large rocks in the stream and stopped near the small pool. Only then did she see the Taoist priest, dressed in a Mount Longhu robe, had an ordinary face. His robe was patched, appearing simple and clean, not the opulent yellow and purple robes that signified high status in the Celestial Masters' Mansion. Xuanyuan Qingfeng was meticulous; when she landed on the bluestone where a clear spring flowed, she deliberately emphasized her footsteps, yet the Taoist priest did not immediately notice. His breathing and meditation techniques seemed ordinary. The Taoist priest was focused, facing the secluded pool, holding a green bamboo fishing rod, seemingly angling. The bamboo rod had a long line sinking into the pool, unlike those pretentious scholars who held rods without lines, merely for show. Xuanyuan Qingfeng was utterly fed up with such fame-seeking literati; if this Taoist priest were to cast his rod without bait, given her temperament, he would surely get a good beating!

Beside the Taoist priest lay a small bamboo basket containing several fragrant, crimson wild fruits.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng smiled faintly and asked, "Have we disturbed your fishing, Immortal Senior?"

The Taoist priest, without taking his eyes off the water, smiled and shook his head. "It's alright," he said, "you won't disturb the fish this poor Taoist wishes to catch."

Song Keli looked around, then sat down and gently asked, "May I ask what you are using as bait, Daoist Priest? And how deep is this pool?"

The young saber master already had his hand on his saber hilt.

Even Xuanyuan Qingfeng detected the killing intent emanating from this impetuous man, who was destined to one day rival Gu Jiantang in saber skills.

Once he decided on something, he was always direct, whether ascending Mount Hui's Guniu Ridge or upon meeting her. Xuanyuan Qingfeng was helpless in the face of this.

The Taoist priest, seemingly oblivious to the pervasive killing intent, pointed to the wild fruits in the bamboo basket, giving the first answer. Then he calmly added, "This poor Taoist still doesn't know how deep this pool is."

Song Keli, outwardly still gentle, courteous, and unassuming, pressed on, "May I ask, Daoist Priest, what exactly are you trying to catch?"

The Taoist priest held nothing back, stating an astonishing truth in a calm tone: "It's a great salamander. It once swallowed an artifact, and this poor Taoist wishes to retrieve it."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng tentatively asked, "Immortal Senior, are you perhaps fishing for the great horned salamander?"

The Taoist priest, truly oblivious to worldly ways, nodded and said, "Precisely."

The young saber master let out a cold laugh, direct as always, and was about to draw his saber. He never drew unless he meant to see blood. He didn't care in the slightest whether this seemingly enigmatic Taoist priest sensed his killing intent.

"I have a saber," he thought, "is there any head in this world it cannot sever?!"

The Taoist priest sighed softly, put down his bamboo rod, glanced at the bamboo basket, and turned to smile. "I won't be able to catch it this year," he said. "There are a few fruits left; if you don't mind wild mountain fruits, you can eat them to satisfy your hunger and thirst."

Song Keli smiled without speaking, remaining completely still.

The young saber master, inexplicably relaxing his grip, sat down casually and picked up a wild fruit, offering it first to Xuanyuan Qingfeng. When she shook her head, he tossed it directly into his mouth, then devoured the remaining three or four fruits in the basket.

The Taoist priest smiled.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng asked, "Immortal Senior, which Taoist temple on the mountain do you cultivate in?"

The Taoist priest shook his head. "Like a wandering ghost, I have no fixed abode," he said. "Fortunately, this vast ancestral home of Taoism can still accommodate this poor Taoist."

Song Keli unexpectedly asked, "This humble one has a question; may I trouble Daoist Priest to enlighten me?"

The Taoist priest nodded and said, "Please speak."

Song Keli sat down with a sweep of his sleeve, as if intending to engage in a profound discussion with the Taoist priest. He then said solemnly, "When my father discussed the three doctrines of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, he once said that Buddhism is gold, Taoism is jade, but Confucianism is grain. Gold and jade are precious, but one can live without them, while the world, like the human body, cannot go a day without grain."

The Taoist priest interjected in an old-fashioned tone, "Actually, it doesn't matter if you go without food for a day; people won't starve to death."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng was dumbfounded and deeply disappointed. What kind of nonsensical debate was this? The immortal aura she had initially perceived from the Taoist priest, due to his fishing for the great horned salamander in the deep mountain pool, vanished completely.

The saber master burst into laughter.

Song Keli's composure was strong; he showed no trace of anger.

Fortunately, the Taoist priest added, "But if there's no food for a long time, then indeed something will go wrong."

Song Keli continued calmly, "My father acknowledges the distinction between good and evil, but denies there are three separate doctrines. What does Daoist Priest think of this?"

The Taoist priest nodded and said, "Good."

Song Keli's expression grew a bit more serious. "My father is wary of the ongoing debate between righteous rule and tyrannical might, a debate yet to be settled among the court and commoners. He only dares to openly declare that the core principles of all three doctrines aim to find a path for the common people. He proposes the four characters 'cultivate oneself, benefit others': Confucianism cannot be Confucianism if it deviates from this path; Buddhism is not Buddhism if it leaves this path; and an immortal cannot become an immortal if they fall short of this path. Regardless of the doctrine, as long as one consistently performs good deeds, demonstrates loyalty, filial piety, trustworthiness, and integrity, and fully embraces humanity, they will not be far from the Great Dao."

The Taoist priest smiled faintly. "'A gentleman does not stand under a tottering wall'—these were the words of Master Zhang two thousand years ago. It is already remarkable that your father possesses such foresight and courage. This poor Taoist believes that if one can cultivate their body and mind, gathering true essence and true spirit, they can naturally nurture great talent and virtue. As for where the foundation lies—whether with Confucianism, Buddhism, or this poor Taoist's Taoism—it is ultimately insignificant. However, since Taoism begins with the character 'Dao,' it will always hold a natural advantage when spoken of by future generations, whether in a hundred or a thousand years. As for the sagely texts compiled by Master Zhang's disciples, one could say they have exhausted all principles, but they inevitably carry an overly academic air. Establishing rules is good, but it also creates a cage. The Master is undoubtedly a sage, revered for his loftiness, but even the highest schools of thought have their biases. If this poor Taoist had been born two thousand years earlier, I would have boldly told him face to face: 'What the Master deems reckless talk, I consider the practice of the wondrous Dao.'"

Not to mention Song Keli and Xuanyuan Qingfeng, even the young saber master, who had never touched a book in his life, was dumbfounded.

This Taoist priest looked at most forty years old, yet his words sounded as if he could swallow the heavens and earth!

The Master had exhausted all principles two thousand years ago, yet this Taoist priest today spoke as if there was nothing left to say.

Song Keli rose and bowed respectfully. However, it was unknown what thoughts truly lay within the mind of this Song family scion, whose talent surpassed that of his elders.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng bade farewell and led the way.

After walking a short distance, she subconsciously turned her head to look back. The Taoist priest, whose martial arts seemed ordinary but whose words were startling, remained still.

After the group had gone far away, the Taoist priest flicked his wrist, and the fishing line was drawn up, soaring towards the clouds.

It seemed endless; the fishhook did not appear for a long time.

How long must this fishing line be? A hundred *zhang*? Two hundred *zhang*?

The Taoist priest quietly waited for the hook to emerge from the water, then softly said, "Never mind; I'll wait another ten years."

The bamboo raft traveled from Qinglong Stream into Longwang River. The river currents were swift, yet the raft remained steady. Old Daoist Zhao Xituo's trip was merely to bring his disciple out to see the magnificent scenery of the She River, which cleaves through Jianzhou. Xu Longxiang squatted on the raft, no longer fearing the water as he used to.

The old Celestial Master felt greatly relieved. Huang Man'er, born into the Vajra realm, possessed a rare and extraordinary constitution. Compared to Hong Xixiang, the young sect leader of Wudang who was born with an extra spiritual aperture, Huang Man'er was no less remarkable. Hong Xixiang's uniqueness lay in having an additional 'one,' from which all things proliferated. His disciple, Huang Man'er, was the exact opposite: he lacked a 'one,' meaning he naturally didn't need to worry about what the Taoist scriptures referred to as "failing to comprehend eternal life after years of cultivation, with the heart's aperture blocked by five carts of yellow dust." Therefore, the old Taoist priest imparted the 'Dream Spring and Autumn' method to Xu Longxiang, which was the most suitable teaching approach for him. While others cultivated Dao by nurturing their 'qi,' Zhao Xituo did the opposite. As long as Xu Longxiang could sustain his Vajra physique with just a single breath, upon reaching a superior state, he would achieve what the ancestors described: "A great dream of spring and autumn for three hundred years, with a gentle breath piercing through Kunlun." Previously, Xu Longxiang had made no progress in learning other advanced Taoist cultivation methods of Mount Longhu. Now, his violent aura was gradually receding, and he was only half a step away from the minor longevity realm of a true Taoist master, where "rise and fall are within one's grasp." Zhao Xituo now only needed to patiently wait for his disciple to make that final leap. How could Zhao Xituo not be happy? This joy surpassed even that of people in the secular world having children in their old age!

After living with Xu Longxiang day and night at Xiaoyao Temple at the foot of the mountain for nearly two years, they had developed a deep bond. Now, there was no need for the Prince's threats by letter; if anyone dared to bully Huang Man'er, Zhao Xituo would be the first to object. Did they really think the Great Celestial Master Zhao, second in seniority in the Celestial Masters' Mansion, was just a decaying ancestral tablet? The old Taoist priest's spirit soared, and he pushed the raft with increased vigor, making it shoot forward like an arrow. Suddenly, he saw his disciple stand up, crane his neck, and look towards the Demon Slaying Platform at the peak, letting out a deafening roar. Zhao Xituo was stunned for a moment, and immediately, a roar came from the Demon Slaying Platform, like the bellow of a primeval beast. The old Taoist priest was astonished for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Excellent, excellent! To be able to sense the black tiger under Qi Xuanzhen, you are truly my disciple! Indeed, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers."

Xu Longxiang made to leap from the raft and charge across the river. Zhao Xituo quickly called out, "Disciple, no hurry, no hurry."

If this had been when Xu Longxiang first arrived on the mountain, he would have long since jumped into the river without hesitation to fight that beast to his heart's content. In his youth, he had torn apart several tigers, leopards, bears, and grizzlies with his bare hands; his physical strength was so astonishing that even the fiercest generals who beheaded enemies and captured banners on the battlefield would feel ashamed of themselves. But this time, when the old Taoist priest spoke to stop him, the naturally unperceptive young man actually halted. He still looked displeased, however, turning his head to glare at the old Taoist priest before squatting by the raft, lost in thought. Zhao Xituo's mood was as joyful as if he had drunk fine wine. He laughed heartily and said earnestly, "Disciple, that black tiger is no ordinary beast. It was originally the king of beasts on our Mount Longhu. Its body is almost twice the size of a common tiger, and it is entirely black. For some unknown reason, it went to the Demon Slaying Platform to listen to Qi Xuanzhen's sermons for many years and gained great spiritual intelligence. Hey, by seniority, that fellow is of the 'Jing' generation on this mountain. Your master has long thought about when to let you spar with it. There's no need to rush; sooner or later, I'll let you have a good fight with it."

Xu Longxiang grunted.

Perhaps it was the mention of Immortal Qi's black tiger that sent Old Daoist Zhao's thoughts drifting. He quietly said, "Disciple, your master has some secrets to tell you; I just have to get them off my chest, as keeping them bottled up feels uncomfortable. From your master's perspective, true Taoist masters of this era are few and far between. If not for Hong Xixiang emerging from Wudang, their numbers would be even scarcer after Wang Chonglou's passing. For Mount Longhu, being dominant for too long means the younger generations inevitably mistake themselves as supreme under heaven, which is not a good thing. Let your master count them: my elder brother, of course, is one; Danxia can also be counted. As for Zhao Danping, he's too clever, always trying to calculate every little thing, which instead harms his fortune. Bai Yu and Qi Xianxia, these two juniors, are both remarkable oddities—one resembles your master's father, the other Lu Dongxuan. I believe they will surely achieve the realm of true masters in the future, but they still need time. As for the rest of the 'Jing' generation, their prospects are uncertain. The few members of the Zhao family in the Celestial Masters' Mansion will find it difficult to shoulder great responsibilities in the future. In the Northern Daoist lineage, there are still two 'scattered immortals,' but they are both very old; who knows when they might pass away? Alas, after all this counting, there are only these few; I can count them on one hand. How tragic! We are far inferior to the Buddhist sect."

Heaven knew if Xu Longxiang was listening, but Zhao Xituo didn't care. He turned the raft around to return, looking at the sprawling mountain range. Suddenly, he smiled and said slowly, with a hint of pride, "That's fine. Mount Longhu still has a 'land immortal' guarding it."

Xu Longxiang tilted his head.

Seeing that he uncharacteristically had a listener, Zhao Xituo stroked his beard, squinted, and chuckled, "Before the last sixty-year cycle, people only knew my father and Qi Xuanzhen, but they didn't know that above the 'true masters' are immortals."

The old Taoist priest had intended to build suspense and pique his disciple's interest, but seeing him immediately lower his head to continue fishing, he gave a sheepish smile and quickly said, "However, how exactly this immortal became an immortal, your master can't quite say. I only remember encountering a Taoist priest when I was young, entering the mountains to gather herbs. Later, over twenty years after Qi Xuanzhen ascended, your master chanced upon that same Taoist priest again, and he appeared not to have aged a single bit. Extremely curious, I asked the Old Ancestor, and do you know what your Grand-master said? The Old Ancestor said he had also met this person several times in his youth! Disciple, just think, how old must this person be? Song Zhiming of Wudang lived for 150 years and was known as the longest-living person under heaven. Your master conservatively estimates that Taoist priest in the mountain is even older. Of course, this matter, much like whether there is a Daoist imperial jade seal inscribed 'By the Grace of Heaven' at the base of the mountain, is difficult to verify."

Xu Longxiang rolled his eyes, a habit he had picked up from his elder brother.

Zhao Xituo chuckled, slowly punting the raft, smacking his lips. "Back then," he murmured, "when your father, the Prince, led his troops to Mount Longhu, compelled by the circumstances, even the Old Ancestor couldn't openly block his path. Everyone in the world knows that several couriers ran their horses to death just to deliver the imperial decree to the foot of Mount Longhu. But they don't know that the last courier had already died of exhaustion with his horse ten *li* away. It was an unknown Taoist priest who took the decree. Holding the imperial edict, wherever his figure went, no arrow rain could penetrate, and swords and halberds broke. During this time, over twenty top masters under Beiliang couldn't stop him, nor could they even clearly see the Taoist priest's face. Within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he appeared before the Prince of Beiliang, his Taoist robe not stained with a speck of dust."

The old Taoist priest said with a dazed expression, "If that's not a 'land immortal,' then what is? I wonder if I can ever see him again in this life."