Chapter 65 There Are People on the Mountain

On Fangcun Peak of Chenxie Mountain, after the young Taoist saw that Master Ye went down the mountain alone, he hesitated for a long time but at last ran to the bamboo cottage, shouting at the honorable Taoists in yellow and purple with fear, “Masters, Master Ye has gone down the mountain.”

Mo Dao opened his eyes slowly and counted on his fingers. Soon he turned pale. In his opinion, as he was experienced, in fact, it didn’t matter if Ye Shengge wouldn’t attend the Taoist competition. After all, Chenxie Mountain was the leader of Daoism, and not to mention anything else, such a matter would make the Dao cultivators coming from afar unhappy, but in Liangxi, the force was always more powerful than reasons. As a mountain with the biggest force, of course it had every reason. If somebody was not convinced, they could fight against him till he was convinced. But after Ye Shengge left the mountain in secret, if there was something wrong with her outside, nobody could even resist the temple owner’s anger, let alone anything else. This innate gifted Dao cultivator was the greatest treasure on Chenxie Mountain, and even the three thousand books about Daoism in the Sky Building were inferior to her. After all, different people would have different feelings after reading the books. Although it was helpful to promote their strength, it couldn’t make the ones who had the talent only to enter the Revelation Stage change and jump into the Ocean Stage. But Ye Shengge was different. With her talent, this gifted Dao cultivator could enter the Ocean Stage, so they should be more cautious. After all, even though Chenxie Mountain could outshine others in Liangxi and be above many Taoist temples, some people would be secretly unwilling to see that Chenxie Mountain kept this position. So after this gifted cultivator went down the mountain, although the cultivators in high stages would still sit on the mountain to look down, many people under the mountain would get her into trouble. If Ye Shengge was hurt in a place where there was no big shot, the people on Chenxie Mountain couldn’t accept this result.

This possibility was unbearable.

Mo Dao’s face darkened and he ordered in an instant, “Tell the stewards to go down the mountain immediately and stop Ye Shengge. She has many magic tools, and it’s better to tell every two of them to form a team, and don’t fight endlessly. After they meet her, they can send a signal. What’s more, don’t let Ye Shengge get injured anyway.”

Afterward, Mo Dao turned around and looked at another Taoist in yellow and purple, saying gently, “Dude, take some people to comfort the guests on the mountain. If some people want to profit by disturbances, just kill them and don’t fear anything. The people on Chenxie Mountain don’t fear anybody.”

Although his voice was not loud, his words were powerful.

That Taoist in yellow and purple nodded and then turned to leave, without delay.

Mo Dao turned around at last and looked at the rest Taoists in yellow and purple, asking peacefully, “We need the temple owner to show up and deal with this matter. Otherwise, if Ye Shengge is determined to go down the mountain, nobody can stop her. Then which one of you goes to ask for instructions from the temple owner?”

The Taoists in yellow and purple looked at one another speechlessly. It was the critical juncture for the temple owner who was staying secluded, and he might break through to enter the next stage. If somebody went to ask him without permission and ruined his important matter, he wouldn’t have a place to stand on the mountain in the future. If Ye Shengge was a disciple who was likely to become a sage on Chenxie Mountain in the future, then the temple owner played a key role on the mountain, and he was a Dao cultivator who had the greatest chance to have his picture hung on all the Taoist temples. To some extent, the temple owner was more important than Ye Shengge.

One had the infinite potential, and one was close to the highest stage. All people were clear who was more important.

Mo Dao looked indifferent. This Taoist at a high stage on the mountain didn’t say more. He would never go to see the temple owner in person. After all, the two were almost as incompatible as fire and water since that year.

One middle-aged man walked out of the rest Taoists in yellow and purple and laughed in a low voice. “Of course, the major issue on the mountain should be decided by the temple owner. Fine, I will go to the Sky Building to ask for instructions from him.”

Looking at the youngest man among these Taoists in yellow and purple, Mo Dao responded calmly, “Thanks, Shouqing. From today on, your disciples can enter and leave Wuwang Peak freely. As for the magic tools on the peak, they can take them away if they can.”

Zhang Shouqing who had been cultivating on the mountain for many years kowtowed and sighed with emotion. “Thanks a lot, Mo Dao.”

Anybody knew that since Mo Dao was defeated in the fight for the position of temple owner, he seldom left Wuwang Peak and kept cultivating these years. He had made Wuwang Peak a blessed spot which was just inferior to the main peak where the temple owner was. Many disciples on the mountain wanted to enter Wuwang Peak to cultivate for several years, but as Mo Dao didn’t say anything, nobody dared to break in. Now he gave out Wuwang Peak to compensate Zhang Shouqing, which could indirectly show that it was a big deal to ask for instructions from the temple owner.

After all the Taoists in yellow and purple on Fangcun Peak scattered, Zhang Shouqing stood next to Mo Dao and asked in a warm voice, “Mo Dao, you still can’t forget the old story?”

Few Taoists on the mountain knew that Zhang Shouqing and Mo Dao were taught by the same master, and they were close like brothers those years.

Mo Dao showed a complicated expression and whispered, “I take it too much to heart. After twenty years, I can’t forget it or move on. It baffles me all the time. I have no chance to live forever.”

Zhang Shouqing sighed and didn’t know how to comfort his senior fellow apprentice.

The fight of reasons couldn’t be explained clearly.

Mo Dao added with a smile, “Shouqing, you have a pure mind of Daoism. In fact, in one hundred years, you might have more attainments than me and even reach the temple owner’s stage. To cultivate, the talent is important, and the mind of Daoism is also important. Ye Shengge has excellent talent, but her mind of Daoism is more admirable. I really can’t follow my mind.”

Zhang Shouqing calmly watched as something happened on the mountain and didn’t say more. At last, he saluted Mo Dao and laughed. “I am going to the Sky Building.”

Mo Dao’s lips moved, and in the end, he just said, “Take care.”

Zhang Shouqing shook his head with a smile and looked calm.

On the mountain path, Ye Shengge’s words made Qing Huai’s momentum rise to the peak. This girl from the demonic land seriously stared at Ye Shengge and showed that she would insist on fighting.

Ye Shengge remained unmoved and still didn’t reveal her vital energy. She was not angry but stood there and looked at Chen Sheng, asking, “Are you at the Dawning Stage?”

Chen Sheng gazed at this innate gifted Dao cultivator peacefully. At last, he asked unprecedentedly, “Do you want to fight against me?”

Ye Shengge shook her head and replied impassively, “I can’t defeat you.”

This young girl wearing a white dress whom Chenxie Mountain placed great expectations on didn’t feel regretful when she said that, but she was unperturbed, and she didn’t add in the end, “I will defeat you in the future.”

Ye Shengge thought she didn’t need to say these words, and Chen Sheng must know that.

However, Chen Sheng didn’t speak or unsheathe his sword. He just looked up at the mountain and laughed.

As he was at the Dawning Stage, he could sense that a group of people from the mountain started to come here. Obviously, their purpose was not him, a swordsman, or the little demon next to him, but Ye Shengge.

Ye Shengge gazed at Qing Huai whose momentum was rising and expressed with no emotion, “You can’t defeat me. I entered the Sanctification Stage last year.”

In order to make Qing Huai give up the plan to compete, Ye Shengge even spoke out her real stage. Of course, she might not care much about it.

Qing Huai’s expression didn’t change, but the momentum all over her body scattered. She shook her head. “It’s not fun.”

It was not interesting indeed. She came to Liangxi from the demonic land far away and had thought that at least she could have a fight with Ye Shengge. Of course, it must be a fight between two people at the same stage, but who knew that it changed, and Ye Shengge looked down from a height at her?

Although she was younger than Ye Shengge, she didn’t think it mattered. She admitted that she couldn’t defeat this gifted Dao cultivator.

Ye Shengge stated casually, “If you can enter the Sanctification Stage this year, I can have a fight with you.”

Qing Huai pursed her lips. To be frank, she felt bad to meet such a person who was more arrogant than her.

She sneered. “Then I will tell my follower to fight against you. If you can defeat him, it will be not late when I take actions.”

Ye Shengge asked seriously, “Who is your follower?”

Qing Huai pointed to Chen Sheng and responded, “His disciple. That guy is named Li Fuyao, a man who will become a Sword Immortal.”

Ye Shengge kept silent and nodded to show that she knew it. Then she prepared to go down the mountain.

Qing Huai didn’t stop her this time and stepped aside, watching this girl walk past her. Then she asked at once, “Why don’t the Taoists on the mountain want her to go down the mountain?”

Chen Sheng replied with a smile, “She is precious. What if she gets injured after she goes down the mountain? They certainly need to protect her.”

Qing Huai chuckled and suddenly suggested, “How about we stop…?”

This little demon wanted to do something evil.

She said the word “stop”, but she didn’t mean that they would stop Ye Shengge who had gone down the mountain. Instead, she meant to stop the Taoists from the mountain who chased Ye Shengge.

Chen Sheng expressed crossly, “Don’t say ‘we’ but ‘I’!”

Qing Huai responded, “Oh.” She didn’t say yes or no.

Then in a flash, she saw the swordsman at the Dawning Stage in front of her unsheathe the long sword on his waist, and the sword Qi was everywhere.

The sword intent spread on the entire mountain path.

Looking at many Taoists from the mountaintop, Chen Sheng showed a peaceful smile. “Who will resist my sword?”

While speaking, Chen Sheng waved his sword forward.

The sword Qi raged on the mountain path, making the Taoists on the way feel scared.

When did something like this happen on Chenxie Mountain? The swordsmen who were declining dared to provoke this mountain unexpectedly?

No matter what these Taoists were thinking about, anyway, this man who was always unrestrained stood on the mountain path alone and laughed loudly. His laughter spread everywhere on Chenxie Mountain.

“There are people on Sword Mountain.”

Zhang Shouqing walked past Fangcun Peak and came to the Sky Building on the main peak. Looking at this tall building and thinking about the three thousand books inside and the powerful men in the history of Daoism as well as the six sages whose Taoist skills were excellent, he didn’t enter in a hurry but just stated gently in front of the building, “I am Zhang Shouqing from Niujiao Peak and want to see the temple owner. I have something to report.”

There was nobody guarding in front of the Sky Building, but since the temple owner came in to cultivate, nobody else had entered it. The temple owner entered the building to read books in order to take the last step. Obviously this was the most important thing on Chenxie Mountain and even for Daoism, so nobody dared to belittle it.

There was no sound from the Sky Building, but as soon as Zhang Shouqing finished his words, the door was opened.

Zhang Shouqing glanced at the wooden door which was enhanced by Taoist immortals of many generations and then entered the Sky Building slowly.

The Sky Building had a simple layout all the time. There were only book shelves, with even no place to sit. There were ninety-nine stories. Zhang Shouqing didn’t know which floor the temple owner was on, so he had to climb up one floor after another.

When he walked to the thirty-sixth floor, he saw a man’s back in front of a book shelf.

That man was dressed in clothes made of rough cloth, and his long black hair was tied into a bun randomly. He was sitting on the floor and reading a yellowish book about Daoism.

He just sat on the floor like an ordinary person, which made Zhang Shouqing feel depressed, and even his mind of Daoism was shaky.

That man stood up and then put the book back on the shelf randomly. After he turned his head, a young face was shown. He looked at Zhang Shouqing and asked with a smile, “Is Shengge going down the mountain?”

At this moment, Zhang Shouqing felt warm.

Zhang Shouqing saluted him and replied, “Master, Shengge is the future of Chenxie Mountain. How can she go down the mountain at will? If she meets an evil person, it will be too late to regret.”

The owner of Liangxi Dao Temple on Chenxie Mountain waved his hand. “Since we pin our hope on Shengge, how can we trap her on this mountain? None of the sages in the world cultivated only indoors. It’s fine that she goes down the mountain. After she toughens herself, it would be helpful for her cultivation. As for the people with other intentions, I have my own plan, and it’s no big deal. At least, if they dare to take actions openly, I will go to reason with them. All people in Liangxi don’t like to reason, but I do. When I was in Yanling Confucian Temple, I didn’t fall behind.”

Hearing the temple owner talk about an old story decades ago, Zhang Shouqing had a smile on his face. At that time, the temple owner took the position not long ago and his prestige was not enough to overawe Liangxi, so one day in spring, he travelled far away in Yanling and talked about Daoism with the principal in Yanling Confucian Temple on Jingkou Mountain, while the principal talked about Confucianism. In fact, this discussion was pointless, and at last, neither of them could convince the other. After going down the mountain, the temple owner walked back to Liangxi and nobody stopped him. When he was on the way in Dayu, he had been assassinated several times successively. The gentle temple owner changed and started to kill. He killed a few cultivators who were famous in the human world and almost climbed Sword Mountain. After he returned to Liangxi, nobody dared to look down upon this temple owner.

Later, it was said that this temple owner had been to the demonic land in the north and fought against a great demon but wasn’t defeated. Although he had relied on magic tools, it could show his power as he was able to resist a great demon at the Ocean Stage.

Since the sages were unwilling to show up in the human world, the temple owner who was close to that stage was naturally the number one cultivator among the three religious sects, so everybody on the mountain was relieved because with this owner, Chenxie Mountain could lead Daoism all the time. But after Zhang Shouqing entered the building today, he feared if he would delay the temple owner’s cultivation, so for a moment, he looked worried.

The temple owner seemed to know what was on Zhang Shouqing’s mind and smiled peacefully. “I have sat in the Sky Building with boredom for several years but I didn’t make any progress. I thought I could be enlightened after reading three thousand books, but after I came to the thirty-sixth floor, my mind of Daoism became messy. I will go out of the building today and head to the Buddhist land in the west. You and Mo Dao will be in charge of the affairs on the mountain. I know that Mo Dao is not convinced, and you can tell him not to restrain his anger. If he really can’t endure it, he can curse me to my face. But if he fights against me, I won’t let him win.”

Zhang Shouqing murmured, “How can you do that?”

The temple owner still wanted to say something, but suddenly he furrowed his brows and questioned in fury unprecedentedly, “How can Chenxie Mountain allow a swordsman to act wildly? It is fine if he were Chao Qingqiu, but a swordsman at the Dawning Stage really thinks that there is nobody on this mountain?”

Zhang Shouqing raised his head all of a sudden.

The temple owner waved his sleeves and ordered, “Shouqing, go to kill that man.”

Then the temple owner went downstairs and mumbled, “There are people on this mountain.”

His voice was not loud, but it spread everywhere on Chenxie Mountain. It was the temple owner’s “unintentional act”.

Soon, many cultivators on the mountain from afar noticed that and looked at the Sky Building. It was said that this temple owner stayed secluded completely to take the last step, so not all these cultivators who climbed the mountain to attend the Daoist assembly wanted to see Ye Shengge. After all, this temple owner was the number one of the Daoism sect. Whether he could finish the last step was a great event that everybody in the sect cared about. After all, such a cultivator who was close to the sage’s stage was the foundation of Chenxie Mountain. If the temple owner finished the last step and became the seventh Taoist sage in these six thousand years, he should be like the other sages and not get involved in the affairs in the world, and it would be a real blessing for other Taoist temples, as it meant that the huge mountain above their heads was removed, and they could see farther.

Before Li Fuyao almost reached the top of Sword Mountain, it was getting dark. He held Light Snow and stepped on a bluestone. After standing for a while, he planned to walk to the mountaintop with one effort.

But at this time, the huge birds on both sides of the mountain path suddenly flapped their wings and flew down quickly, aiming at Li Fuyao who was climbing the mountain. He looked unhappy but soon drew Light Snow and waited for the enemies.

In the forest far away, a teenage boy who went to the sword grave as a punishment but soon ran out watched the scene and patted his thigh regretfully. Because he exerted much strength, he gasped at once.

“Li Fuyao, when you started to climb the mountain, nobody told you that you should reach the top before dark? Did you have a rest on the mountain path for several hours?”

On the big bluestone in front of the shabby temple at the foot of the mountain, the swordswoman in grey Xie Lu suddenly jumped down and expressed, “I forgot to tell him that he should reach the top before dark. I thought it was not important, but unexpectedly, this guy still hasn’t reached the top. How long did he stay on the mountain path?”

In the end, Xie Lu looked angry.

Liu Yibai next to her was confused. After a while, he held his head with both hands and looked terrible. Would Li Fuyao, Chen Sheng’s disciple failed to climb the mountain because she didn’t tell him that he should reach the top before dark??