Chapter 1452 - 786: Knowing One's Place (Double Update, Two Chapters in One)

The scholar with the surname Liu emerged from the mist in the forest, his coarse cloth scholar robe gently fluttering in the breeze. The previous look of panic was completely gone, and now his demeanor was calm, his figure half-hidden and half-visible in the fog.

His gaze swept over the three people, lingering on Yin Weiyin's face for a moment. He seemed to appreciate her ability to see through matters, yet he didn't show much panic from being revealed.

Indeed, the person behind the scenes has shown himself, yet his cultivation was not visible to the naked eye. Yin Weiyin felt a slight unease, but with Chen Yi beside her, there was no need to be overly intimidated.

Even if she couldn't defeat him, Chen Yi was there, and she could hide behind him when the time came.

After he dealt with it, she could naturally praise him, at worst saying some intimate words between a couple. He would surely appreciate it, and next time she wouldn't even need to speak, just a glance from her and he'd enthusiastically act.

Feeling slightly reassured, the female crown slowly spoke, "Greetings, fellow Taoist."

"I'm not so well, but fellow Taoist's words about deception were quite hurtful."

Hearing this, Yin Weiyin thought to herself shamelessly,

Does she not know if it's a deception?

Like a snake lurking and laying its line, hiding over a thousand miles,

She herself is adept at these immortal techniques, how could she not see through them?

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I come from Liuyun Palace and go by the name Chang Yuzi."

Chang Yuzi gave a bow.

Yin Weiyin did not return the gesture, instead gathered her sleeves and said, "I come from the Southern Border, known as Zhao Yin."

Chang Yuzi furrowed his brows slightly. He referred to himself as a humble Taoist, yet the young female crown before him dared to claim the title 'this seat.'

The female crown paced a few steps, then turned back to gaze at the thick mist in the mountains, saying:

"Rumor of Jin Family's secret treasures has brought Jianghu guests who are vigorous with mixed yang energy, reckless and indiscriminating, flocking into the mountains, disturbing the Mountain God, forcing the Spirit Deer out for you to capture."

The Spirit Deer is a symbol of good fortune, blessed by Heaven and Earth, a rare spiritual object with many divine anomalies.

For cultivators, capturing a Spirit Deer is a great opportunity whether for alchemy, increasing cultivation, taming it as a mount, or using its spirituality to refine a magic artifact.

However, Spirit Deers are naturally alert, adept in spirit communication and fleeing, residing in the depths of secluded mountains and forests, challenging to find and even harder to capture, hence resulting in this predicament.

"With the Mountain God enraged, the Spirit Deer might be disturbed too, you just wait for it to flee hastily and unthinking, then act," Yin Weiyin turned her head, her cool eyes glancing at Chang Yuzi, mildly revealing, "Ordinary people wouldn't expend such effort to form a vendetta; it's likely you've reached a bottleneck and need the Spirit Deer's antlers as a medicinal guide, right?"

"How dare you disrespect my uncle master!"

As Yin Weiyin's words fell, an angry shout arose from the forest, and soon after, a young man, steering the wind, appeared from the woods, holding a Money Sword in his left hand and a talisman in his right, suddenly arriving and outraged at Yin Weiyin's offensive speech.

Prior to this, Yin Weiyin hadn't noticed this person's existence, showcasing his long and excellent concealment. She was startled, but ultimately, as Taichua Goddess, she remained composed even in sudden disaster as Mount Taishan fell before her; moreover, Chen Yi was beside her, and the fool from the East Palace was watching too.

The newcomer saw Yin Weiyin's lack of reaction, simply glancing coldly as if dismissing her, intending to step forward when Chang Yuzi raised a hand to stop him, saying, "Ji Tong, there is a fellow Taoist ahead, do not be rude."

The young man called Ji Tong halted but still glared angrily.

Chen Yi lowered his gaze, rubbing his fingers.

Chang Yuzi glanced, his eyes wary. Although the female crown seemed not very advanced in cultivation, the man beside her was unfathomable, evoking a primal sense of danger; it was unclear if he was truly capable or merely bluffing.

Nonetheless, meeting is destined, it's better to treat others kindly.

"May I ask for the fellow Taoist's guidance?" Chang Yuzi deliberately softened his tone.

"Without sect or school, years back I practiced with a master for a while, just a forest loose cultivator."

Indeed a loose cultivator, Chang Yuzi slightly relaxed his gaze, feeling relieved. Taoists report their lineages when traveling to avoid conflicts, and monks don't utter false words as the more falsehoods, the less clear the Taoist heart, detrimental to cultivation.

Chang Yuzi maintained warmth, asking, "You seem like a fellow Taoist wandering the world, I wonder if you happened to pass by today or... also have some interest in the Spirit Deer within these mountains? I only wish for its antlers; the rest, meeting by chance, can be gifted to fellow Taoists."

Upon hearing, Yin Weiyin's lips curved, seeming mocking,

"I have no interest in that, merely wish to ask first, for a fellow Taoist to go through such troubles, even disturbing the Mountain God and bringing disaster upon the ordinary, do you not feel the methods are overly severe, harming universal harmony?"

Before Chang Yuzi could respond, the young disciple named Ji Tong couldn't hold back again, shouting, "My uncle master's actions are not for you to judge!"

"Ji Tong!"

Chang Yuzi's voice lowered, stopping the disciple once more, then turned revealing a slightly helpless smile,

"My palace disciple hasn't done well, I beg forgiveness. As fellow Taoist mentioned, my cultivation has reached a critical juncture, requiring a dose of Spirit Deer antlers to balance Dragon and Tiger, break through barriers and realms. These antlers, if not taken strongly, their spiritual energy dissipates turning mundane; hence, I choose this expedient, borrowing mundane strength to alarm the Spirit Deer, making it reveal itself, then seeking to communicate to obtain one antler, all done from necessity.

This small wish required much effort and time, I hope fellow Taoists grant it."

The words sounded reasonable, even carrying some immortal demeanor.

However, listening to it, Yin Weiyin scoffed inwardly, Chang Yuzi spoke civilly yet clearly feared they would compete.

She, as Taichua Goddess, need no worldly treasures; moreover, now that Chen Yi, the Golden Boy, is obedient and willing for dual cultivation, attaining immortality is just a matter of time.

The Spirit Deer is such an external object that compared to Chen Yi, it's like the difference between cloud and mud.

She simply doesn't like Chang Yuzi's way of doing things, clearly stirring up storms for personal gain, yet using excuses of necessity, and pretending to generously share, as if bestowing some great favor.

"Fellow Daoist, I appreciate your kindness. I cultivate without reliance on external objects nor intend to take what's favored by others. It's just..."

Her speech turned, her gaze clear, directly looking at Chang Yuzi.

"I just can't stand such actions. The path of cultivation is long and far, one should forge good connections, not disturb mountain spirits or trouble mortal men. Momentary benefit is not the way of longevity. Do you agree, Fellow Daoist?"

She spoke politely, yet her critique couldn't be more obvious.

"You!" Ji Tong's face flushed red, clearly infuriated.

"Ji Tong, do not be rude!" Chang Yuzi's voice this time was sterner, imbued with True Qi, causing Ji Tong to halt his breath and reluctantly take half a step back, still glaring fiercely at Yin Weiyin.

The gentle smile on Chang Yuzi's face finally faded, a hint of imperceptible gloom passed through his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

He cupped his hand to Yin Weiyin, his tone still calm as he said, "Fellow Daoist's insight, this poor Taoist is taught. Today's matter was indeed poorly considered by us, disturbing Fellow Daoist's peace, unintentionally involving several. This was not intended. Just now perceiving the auras of several fellow Daoists, this poor Taoist secretly cast a spell to disperse some mind-confusing fog and miasma as a gesture of apology."

He paused, his gaze passing over the silent Chen Yi, then looked at the curious Donggong Ruoshu, and finally returned to Yin Weiyin, his tone sincere:

"Regardless, our encounter today is a form of fate. If fellow Daoists have spare time in the future, please come to Liuyun Palace for a talk. My sect will surely sweep the mat to welcome you as hosts, so I may slightly compensate for today's abruptness."

"Fellow Daoist is too polite. I was just passing through. As you said, indeed, the treasure is real, the cultivation technique is real, even human greed is real."

Yin Weiyin had no intention to entangle further; the life and death of those Jianghu people were unrelated to her. Displeased as she was with Chang Yuzi's actions, that was all there was to it. She was not Min Ning, who insisted on right and wrong,

Moreover, it was necessary to set an example for Chen Yi, to show him what true immortal demeanor is.

With this in mind, Yin Weiyin, initially intending to turn and leave directly, paused, taking one more look at the mountain forest, then slowly said,

"But with your designs to seek the Spirit Deer through human greed, how could you truly obtain the deer?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Yuzi furrowed his brow and said,

"Each has their own destined path, no need for Fellow Daoist to worry."

The female crown did not respond and first boarded the carriage.

Chen Yi only glanced at the two but thought for a moment, fulfilling his duty as a guard, not acting on his own, and followed onto the carriage. Donggong Ruoshu hesitated a bit, but not wanting to complicate matters, she also went up.

The paper maid slowly drove the horse, and the carriage began its journey again.

The two Daoists from Liuyun Palace watched the carriage go away.

Once the green curtain horse carriage completely disappeared at the bend of the winding mountain path, the gentle smile on Chang Yuzi's face quietly faded.

The young and impulsive Ji Tong, already full of dissatisfaction, immediately approached, speaking disdainfully in a low voice:

"Little Uncle Master, why bother wasting words with those ignorant loose cultivators? Look at that female crown, not too old, yet so arrogant, addressing herself as 'this seat' and putting on a lecturing posture! What does she know? She's only read a few tales of strange occurrences, picked up some trivial matters about disturbing mountain spirits and harming heavenly harmony, and dares to point fingers and draw lines! And her companion, pretending to be profound, I see he's mostly bluffing! What great world have these rootless loose cultivators seen? I bet they haven't even heard of true immortal arrays or superior pill formulas, yet they presume to comment on our Liuyun Palace's affairs?"

He grew more convinced as he spoke, his voice involuntarily louder in his indignation.

In his view, Little Uncle Master's willingness to patiently explain and even promise to share blessings was already a great grace and politeness, yet that female crown not only showed no gratitude but instead mocked.

Chang Yuzi just quietly listened until Ji Tong finished, then slowly turned around, still with a gentle expression, and said,

"Ji Tong, mind your words. Cultivators primarily focus on heart cultivation, avoiding arrogance and impatience, and must not judge high or low based on origin."

"Little Uncle Master, I just..."

"I know you're standing up for me."

Chang Yuzi's gaze once again turned to the distant vast mountain scenery, smiling as he said,

"Judging by their appearance, they seem to come from a wealthy family. Mountain forest loose cultivators have a difficult time cultivating, like rootless duckweed, without reliance or support, so avoiding something that harms heavenly harmony regarding our means is natural and cannot be deemed wrong, nor right."

"Not wrong, nor right? Little Uncle Master's words are... somewhat puzzling."

"Figure it out yourself."

Ji Tong thought for a moment, a realization struck him with some enlightenment, his words mixed with insight as he said,

"What Little Uncle Master means is that avoiding harming heavenly harmony is certainly good, but if it becomes a restrictive framework, it may trap oneself, striving for harmony in everything and achieving nothing, making it difficult to attain great freedom and joy!"

He got excited momentarily, clapping his hands and saying,

"I've understood, I've understood now, I feel so delighted! Little Uncle Master, making such a point, those mountain forest loose cultivators have indeed fallen into this trap, appearing to roam the world but actually trapped within a single aspect, not understanding the art of flexibility!"

Chang Yuzi neither affirmed nor denied, only showing some relief in his eyes,

"Alright, since they've sensibly left, there's no need to dwell on it."