Chapter 72: Killing the Immortal in Qingyang Palace (Part 1)

Chapter 72: Killing Immortals in Qingyang Palace

Zhuhou Pavilion, a place said to be a permanent residence for cranes, showed no sign of them. As Xu Fengnian and his entourage dismounted to rest, they didn't even spot a pheasant. Instead, they found six or seven beautiful young female Taoist priests surrounding a dashing young man. He wore a Taoist robe and carried a fragrant wooden peach-wood sword in the Divine Firmament style. On his head was the much-criticized "carefree scarf," adorned with cloud patterns, particularly two long, sword-tip-shaped ribbons that hung from the back of his hat, swaying as he moved. Older, respected Taoist masters universally considered this undignified; not every young Taoist dared to wear it. The beautiful and delicate female priests, chirping like orioles, only accentuated the young Taoist's unrestrained demeanor. This handsome Taoist reclined on a long bench in the pavilion, with several female priests peeling Qingyang chestnuts and putting them into his mouth. Such an immortal-like scene, if seen by thieves like Old Man Meng, would surely be perceived as divine.

Upon seeing Shu Xiu, the young Taoist from Qingyang Palace first lit up with joy. Then, seeing Yu Youwei in her white cat-fur cloak and white dress, he paused in surprise. Finally, when Jiang Ni alighted from the carriage, his eyes could not conceal his astonishment. He gently pushed aside the female priests, stood up, and slung his peach-wood sword at his waist. He was the first to step out of Zhuhou Pavilion, making an elegant, deeply respectful bow. After standing upright, he smiled at Xu Fengnian and slowly introduced himself: "This humble Taoist of Qingyang Palace is Wu Shizhen..."

Xu Fengnian would not give the Taoist a chance to boast. He had Lu Qiantang clear the way and walked straight towards Zhuhou Pavilion, rudely interrupting: "Wu Shizhen? What is Qingcheng King Wu Lingsu to you?"

The female Taoists had initially been quite favorable towards Xu Fengnian. In terms of looks alone, the Prince, who resembled his mother, the Princess Consort, by eighty percent rather than Xu Xiao, possessed a rare effeminate handsomeness. Had it not been for four years of travel and sword practice, which had stripped away much of his delicate charm, he would have been even more appealing to women, and certainly more presentable than Wu Shizhen. Although Xu Fengnian was now somewhat more robust and less delicately angular than before, his 'yin energy' seemed to have intensified. To this day, only 'White Fox Face' surpassed him in this regard. While the Qingyang Palace female Taoists were surprised by the handsome, richly dressed man before them, they were accustomed to Wu Shizhen's refined speech and found Xu Fengnian's directness unbearable. Their faces instantly darkened. "Where did this debauched young master come from, daring to call the Qingcheng King by name?!"

Wu Shizhen glanced at Lu Qiantang and Shu Xiu, who stood in a defensive formation. He only perceived Shu Xiu as a soft-bodied, subtly seductive vixen. But Lu Qiantang's great crimson sword seemed to outweigh ten peach-wood swords combined.

Wu Shizhen showed no panic. He still greeted them with a smile, calmly stating, "The Palace Master is indeed my father."

Xu Fengnian sneered, "Then you have a formidable father, the Qingcheng King. Sounds impressive. There are only two kings of different surnames in our dynasty. You certainly picked a good birth."

The female Taoists were all enraged, whispering and cursing, clearly provoked by Xu Fengnian's words. Wu Shizhen, the main subject, proved himself worthy of being the Qingcheng King's son. He merely chuckled softly, "Judging by your accent, young master, are you from Liangzhou?"

Xu Fengnian nodded proudly. As a debauched young master from Northern Liang, who claimed to be second only to no one (not even first, let alone third), he didn't need to feign arrogance. He naturally exuded a chillingly overbearing aura. He pointed his Xiudong saber at the ever-smiling Wu Shizhen and commanded haughtily, "My father is not much worse than the Qingcheng King. He's a general with military authority. Over the years, he's amassed a substantial fortune. This young master finds the mountains of gold and silver at home quite an eyesore. I heard there are immortals on Qingcheng Mountain, so I came to see if I could buy some Taoist methods for longevity, to live a hundred more years. If successful, forget a million taels of silver; I could move a hundred thousand catties of gold into your Qingyang Palace. At the very least, I want to get some top-tier 'chamber arts' classics from Qingyang Palace. You, Taoist Wu Shizhen, since you are the son of the ennobled Wu Lingsu, lead this young master to Qingyang Palace on the mountaintop. If your old man doesn't have true abilities to be a king, then I'll tear down your Qingyang Palace!"

Wu Shizhen squinted, glancing at Wei Shuyang, who was dressed in the Nine Dou Rice Taoist style. He said, "Please, young master, follow this humble Taoist up the mountain. It's not that I boast, but Qingyang Palace does possess some rare Taoist texts on breathing techniques for longevity. Since you've brought an old master of the Nine Dou Rice Taoism, he'll recognize their value at a glance."

Xu Fengnian arrogantly said, "Then why aren't you leading the way already? If this young master is satisfied, mountains of gold and silver will be yours."

Wu Shizhen led a group of infuriated Qingyang Palace female Taoists on foot. The green bamboo chaise lounge in the corner of Zhuhou Pavilion was left behind, unused.

Xu Fengnian, on horseback, tapped Wu Shizhen's head with his Xiudong saber scabbard and asked, "Wu Shizhen, tell this young master, how divine is your old man's Taoist cultivation?"

The light-footed Wu Shizhen was already sweating profusely and panting as he replied, "My father was originally a hermit from Dragon Tiger Mountain's Danfang Rock. Later, having achieved great success in alchemy, he descended the mountain to pray for deliverance from plagues and aid the common people. By the Yangtze River, he met Fire Master Wang Tianjun. Seeing my father's pure Taoist heart, Tianjun bestowed upon him the Great Dao of Divine Thunder Invoking the Emperor, which allows one to command thirty-six ghosts and gods. Later, while traveling through Baishui Marsh, the twenty-second Grotto-heaven of Taoism, he helped a gravely ill old woman, only to discover she was the Heavenly Mother of Lightning. She granted my father the 'Divine Firmament Five Thunders Heavenly Book,' enabling him to conjure wind and rain with a breath, and summon lightning with a wave of his hand. My father received this heavenly mandate, had a sudden divine enlightenment, could perceive ghosts and gods, chant spells, draw talismans, and command lightning to capture evil spirits! He was fortunate enough to be summoned by His Imperial Majesty, who was greatly pleased and thus bestowed upon him the title of Qingcheng King."

Xu Fengnian was somewhat shocked. Despite Wu Shizhen's heavy panting, his narrative was incredibly polished, delivered with righteous conviction, clearly having been recited countless times.

Wei Shuyang smiled faintly, noncommittally. As an old Taoist of Nine Dou Rice, how could he not know the embellishments in such immortal legends? Like Dragon Tiger Mountain and Wudang Mountain, aside from the founding patriarchs, they still needed to invoke ghosts and gods to bolster their prestige. When had anyone ever heard of a present-day Celestial Master or sect leader encountering an immortal on their travels? Such a claim would be laughed out of existence!

Jiang Ni, whose head peeked out from the curtain and heard all this, was utterly convinced and marveled at it. As for Wu Shizhen himself, she hadn't even given him a good look; she knew nothing of his appearance or demeanor.

Old Sword God Li Chungang irritably lowered his head, sniffing the smell of his own feet, seemingly disgusted by the odor. He then looked up and waved his hand, grumbling, "Don't listen to this overindulged little Taoist's nonsense. It's all lies."

Jiang Ni, who held extreme reverence for immortals, Buddhas, and spirits, nervously said, "Don't talk nonsense! We're not far from Qingyang Palace now. Be careful a bolt of lightning doesn't strike us down!"

The old man chuckled, "What if it does strike? This old man will smash it with a single sword stroke."

The apprehensive Jiang Ni indignantly retorted, "Will you die if you don't brag? Will you die?!"

The old man chuckled again, "Don't worry, just listen. How could that rascal Xu Fengnian let this little Taoist boast endlessly like that?"

Sure enough, Xu Fengnian acted exactly like a rash and ignorant bumpkin from a powerful clan, boldly and forcefully exposing the truth: "Whether your old man Wu Lingsu met some Fire Master or Heavenly Mother of Lightning, who knows? Wu Lingsu can boast all he wants. But this young master heard that Wu Lingsu concocted some 'Divine Firmament Numinous Treasure Scripture,' wanting to distance himself from Dragon Tiger Mountain and the Zhengyi Sect, and establish his own sect in this auspicious land of Qingcheng Mountain. However, his followers were pitifully few. Later, someone—who, I don't know—introduced Wu Lingsu, saying that while his Taoist methods were lacking, his 'chamber arts' were exceptional. So, he was summoned to the palace by His Imperial Majesty. Your old man was smart enough; he provided elixirs and secret manuals, and even flattered the Emperor with grand claims, saying things like there are nine heavens, with Divine Firmament being the highest, and its leader being the eldest son of the Jade Emperor, who is none other than His Majesty reincarnated. That flattery was quite something. But I heard that the Taoist ancestral temples like Dragon Tiger and Wudang all cursed your old man Wu Lingsu as 'Wu the Great Bragger.' This Qingcheng King, who single-handedly occupies the Sixth Grotto-heaven, doesn't even dare to retort with a few words? He's a king, after all; how does he manage that?"

Yu Youwei let out a giggle.

Wei Shuyang, playing along with the Prince, feigned caution and apprehension, gently correcting him: "Young master, Qingcheng Mountain is the Fifth Grotto-heaven."

Xu Fengnian grunted, "Fifth or sixth, it's all much the same."

Wu Shizhen's facial expression was stiff, but he maintained a stiff smile, showing no anger or irritation. He waved away a female Taoist priest who tried to wipe his sweat, wiping it himself. Gazing ahead, the palace's roof eaves were faintly visible. Wu Shizhen, who had never suffered such affronts since birth, curled his lips and looked up, smiling, "Young master, Qingyang Palace is almost here." Then he instructed one of the slightly older female Taoists, "Qingshui, walk faster. Go ahead to Qingyang Palace and announce a distinguished guest." The Taoist nun hurried away, swaying her alluring waist.

Wu Shizhen's peripheral vision caught Yu Youwei, who was holding an unsightly maidservant. Xu Fengnian remained outwardly unmoved, thinking to himself that this young Taoist had remarkable self-control. Was he determined to play 'shut the door and beat the dog'?

After all, Qingyang Palace was not the Northern Liang military. Having played at being immortals on Qingcheng Mountain for too long, they truly believed themselves to be invulnerable deities, lacking any scouts to detect the hundred light cavalry below the mountain.

Xu Fengnian, seeing the front hall of Qingyang Palace in the distance, narrowed his eyes and said, "Wu Shizhen, does anyone ever call you 'Wu the Little Bragger'?"

Perhaps Wu Shizhen, having endured a lifetime of hardship, no longer cared about enduring a moment. In his heart, he had already cursed this arrogant young noble from Northern Liang a hundred times over, just waiting to get him into Qingyang Palace to deal with him properly. Now that he could see Qingyang Palace, where his father presided, Wu Shizhen's smile became even more radiant. He looked up and said, "'Wu the Little Bragger'? This is the first I've heard of it."

Xu Fengnian pointed his Xiudong saber at Shu Xiu, who was ahead, and chuckled alongside Wu Shizhen, "If there truly are top-tier 'chamber arts' that catch this young master's eye, see that woman there? She's skilled in allure. She might be a bit older, but she's experienced. I guarantee you, Taoist, you'll only envy lovebirds and not immortals; why bother being an immortal! This young master wouldn't mind giving you Madam Shu. We seem to hit it off; this young master is never stingy."

Shu Xiu's delicate body visibly trembled.

Wu Shizhen glanced at Shu Xiu's back. She was indeed a captivating beauty, much more curvaceous than the female Taoists in the palace. The curve where she met the saddle was truly full and round. *He thought:* "But once you enter my Qingyang Palace, you've called my father, the dignified Qingcheng King Wu Lingsu, 'Wu the Great Bragger,' and you've called this humble Taoist 'Wu the Little Bragger.' Is one beauty enough? What about the others?"

Xu Fengnian finally witnessed a moment of Wu Shizhen's self-satisfaction, and felt a touch of admiration. Wu Shizhen's patience and pretense were far superior to most of Northern Liang's debauched young masters. Xu Fengnian muttered to himself, "Alright, let's trample Qingyang Palace with horses first, then talk."