New Grudges, Old Resentments

As soon as it was light, Xu Han carried a basket, a bucket, and a bamboo crate on her back and left the small courtyard.

Is it necessary to bring so much stuff when going out?

For Old Xu, none of these three items are superfluous.

The basket is for holding medicinal herbs, the bucket is for holding medicinal juice, and the bamboo basket is for holding wild vegetables. Each has its own purpose. When walking on the mountain path, if you see a shepherd's purse, you must put it in the bamboo basket.

Walking in the woods, I saw a shiitake mushroom plant, and I decided to put it in a bamboo basket as well.

Next to the shiitake mushrooms is a cocklebur plant; this is a medicinal herb and should be stored in a basket.

Beside the cocklebur was a clump of weeds, and crouching in the weeds was a man named Gong Ziming, a disciple of the sage, who was to be kept in the golden juice bucket.

Old Xu speared Gong Ziming with a fork, causing Gong Ziming to groan in pain. Old Xu pulled him to his side and said, "My friend, you've been monitoring me on the mountain for so many days, and now you're leaving without saying goodbye. Don't you think you're looking down on me?"

Gong Ziming waved his hands repeatedly and said, "This junior was just passing by and disturbed your peace, senior. Please forgive me." Xu Han sighed, "You are not a sincere person."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bucket on Xu Han's back suddenly grew bigger and wider, like a bathtub.

Old Xu stirred the golden liquid with a shovel, and was about to throw Gong Ziming in when Gong Ziming shouted, "Old Xu, spare my life! I was sent by Sage Peak, on the orders of my master, to visit Old Xu!"

He put it euphemistically, calling surveillance a "visit," but it was indeed the truth.

When the Sage Disciple Zhong Huaien was afflicted by the Green Water Bow, Old Xu placed Zhong Huaien in a bucket and soaked him in golden liquid for three days. Zhong Huaien did not survive and died in the bucket. Old Xu used two eggplant figures to send Zhong Huaien's body back.

From beginning to end, Old Xu felt he hadn't been impolite, but the Emperor got angry and insisted that Gong Ziming monitor Xu Han. And so, Gong Ziming has been monitoring him ever since.

But Old Xu already knew about it from the very first day he arrived.

Old Xu asked, "What's the matter? Why did you leave in such a hurry?"

Gong Ziming replied, "It is truly presumptuous of me to be here monitoring Old Xu. Old Xu has not held a grudge against me these past few days because he wants to spare my life."

Even if I'm slow-witted, I know what it means to advance or retreat, to live or die. Before you get truly angry,

I plan to flee back to Sage Peak immediately; perhaps then I can save my life.

Old Xu asked, "Won't your master blame you when you return to Sage Peak?"

Gong Ziming sighed, "No matter how much my master blames me, I must first save my own life."

His words were perfectly coherent and flawless.

Old Xu exclaimed in admiration, "Your lie is so well-crafted; I truly admire your wit!"

After saying that, Old Xu, with his fork, was about to put Gong Ziming back into the bucket when Gong Ziming cried out, "Old Xu, spare me! I'll tell the truth!"

My master sent me orders the day before yesterday, instructing me to return to Sage Peak immediately, as there are important matters to discuss with me.

Old Xu asked, "What important matter is it?"

Gong Ziming sighed, "Old Xu, you should know my master's temperament. He only gives us orders, and he certainly won't explain the details."

"Didn't you ask your fellow disciples about it?"

"This is an order from our master. How could I dare to inquire casually? Even if I asked, my fellow disciples wouldn't tell me."

Old Xu chuckled, "Is it that you don't trust your fellow disciples, or do you not trust me?"

"Old Xu, I'm telling the truth, the absolute truth—"

Thump!

Gong Ziming was thrown into the bucket, where he floated in the golden soup for a moment. He tried to jump out, but Old Xu stabbed him back with a fork.

"Old Xu, spare me! I'll tell the truth... glug glug"

Old Xu put away his fork, Gong Ziming coughed and panted for a while before saying, "Master moved Knife Ghost Ridge to the side of Sage Peak, saying he wanted to turn it into an army."

As a result, DaoLao Ghost a nickname for a powerful figure) suddenly became unruly, not only killing many of my fellow disciples, but also charging down from Knife Ghost Ridge and attacking Sage Peak.

"Our master is in critical condition. The powerful magic array has been broken, and he has summoned all the disciples outside back to Sage Peak to fight off the DaoLao Ghost with all their might."

Old Xu shook his head and sighed, "Having lost power for so many years, he's become utterly naive. He even dares to move a place like Knife Ghost Ridge to his doorstep."

Strangely enough, DaoLao Ghost, who rarely descended Knife Ghost Ridge, had now attacked Sage Peak, and his temperament had indeed changed.

Gong Ziming said, "Old Xu, I offended you before. I was acting under orders and had no other choice. Now that my sect's life hangs in the balance, I only wish to return to Sage Peak and risk my life to repay my master's kindness in teaching me."

"Old Xu, this is my only wish, and I humbly request Old Xu magnanimity in granting it."

Xu Han sighed, "What kind of person do you take me for? How can the grudges of our generation be involved with you?"

Your master and I have some past grievances, but he's in such great danger, I can't just stand by and do nothing.

"Wait here for a moment, I'll be right back."

Old Xu left Gong Ziming in the bucket and turned to leave. After seeing Old Xu walk away, Gong Ziming tried to jump out of the bucket, but failed several times.

Within the golden liquid, there seemed to be an invisible force tightly binding Gong Ziming. The more Gong Ziming struggled, the tighter he felt himself being bound.

When Old Xu arrived at the field, he planted eighteen eggplant figures, wrote eighteen letters, and stuffed them into the bellies of the eggplant figures.

The letters all contained the same content: first, they described the situation on Sage Peak, and then they offered suggestions to the recipients.

Old Xu's suggestion was. "The sage was once the ruler of a country, but now he is in distress. You cannot stand idly by. Revenge for your grudges and settle your scores. Today is the perfect opportunity to strike a vicious dog when he is down on his luck."

The eggplant man was sent out, and the letter was delivered. Old Xu was a little regretful. He really wanted to go to Sage Peak in person to see what the sage looked like now and see him off.

But he couldn't go. He had promised the Peddler that Medicine King Gully would guard Medicine King Gully and would not leave within the agreed timeframe.

But he was still curious about what the current state of Sage Peak was.

A farmer, with his grandson, was pushing a cart full of grain up Sage Peak. The grain was heavy, and the mountain path was difficult to traverse; the grandfather and grandson were almost unable to push it any further.

An elderly man wearing Small Round Hat and round-framed glasses, leaning on a cane, asked from the side, "Brother, where are you going?"

The farmer laughed and said, "We're sending grain to the sage."

"Are you still sending food to saints?"

The farmer asked in surprise, "What's going on now?"

The old man said, "Haven't you heard about the incident on Sage Peak?"

The farmer didn't seem to care, waving his hand and saying, "I've heard about it; it's just a few monsters causing trouble on the mountain."

These demons are courting death. The sage, being benevolent, will let them live a few more days. Those who know what's good for them should leave quickly; otherwise, if the sage truly loses his temper, he will kill them without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"Just by blinking?" The old man was skeptical. "Does a sage really have such great abilities?"

"You've reached Sage Peak, and you still dare to say such things?" The farmer was terrified. "If your heart isn't sincere, I advise you not to go see the sage."

See that mountain over there? That mountain wasn't originally here; the sage had a thought, and in the blink of an eye, he moved it here.

If they can move mountains, what are a few monsters? Some villagers are now too afraid to go up the mountain.

This proves that they are not sincere; such people can never become Sage Disciple.

After saying that, the old farmer continued pushing the cart up the mountain with his grandson.

The old man, wearing Small Round Hat, offered a final word of advice. "In my dealings with others, I always prioritize virtue."

Now, I truly want to say something to you.

Brother, if you want to die, go ahead, but don't take the kids with you.

The old farmer stopped his car, suddenly feeling a little guilty. What if he really encountered a monster?

I'm an old man, I can just give up now, but what if I end up harming my child?

We've come this far, and we haven't encountered any monsters along the way. When we set out, we wanted to make it to this moment to show our sincerity to the sage. So why are we backing down after hearing a few words from that old man?

The old farmer felt something was wrong. He wanted to say a few more words to the old man, but when he turned around, he found that the old man wearing Small Round Hat had disappeared.

Good heavens! Is this old man a spirit?

The old farmer felt a sudden chill and quickly took his grandson and pushed the cart down the mountain.

After walking for a short while, he saw a beggar and a young man walking up the mountain.

The old farmer didn't dare ask any more questions and hurriedly pushed his cart down the mountain.

Green Water Bow glanced back and said, "Why is this person leaving in such a hurry? We should stop him and ask him."

He Jiaqing shook his head and said, "No need to ask, they must have seen DaoLao Ghost. I saw one in the woods just now too."

Green Water Bow laughed, "That's really strange. DaoLao Ghost actually managed to escape from Knife Ghost Ridge. I really want to know whose doing this is?"

He Jiaqing frowned slightly. "The methods used here are indeed puzzling. Someone has set up a grand scheme for the Sage, catching him off guard step by step."

"Don't rush into action. I'll go and search his mansion first. Whatever I find, we'll split it 50/50."

Green Water Bow shook his head and said, "Keep it yourself, I don't care. I just want his old life."

He Jiaqing laughed and said, "Let's see the goods first. Who wouldn't be tempted by such a royal treasure?"

Green Water Bow hefted the bowl in his hand. "Before doing anything, consider your own limitations. Inkwell Scholar has arrived, Hundred Flowers Danqing has arrived, Smiling Face Ghost King has arrived, Half-Mouthful Yellow Soup has arrived, and Three-Pot Tobacco Pouch has arrived too."

These people are all above the Cloud Realm, and there are many more ruthless figures from the Cloud Realm on their way. If you sweep away all the good stuff, it will be difficult for you to leave this Bastard Slope.

He Jiaqing chuckled, "Why are you so concerned about me today?"

Green Water Bow sneered, "I don't care whether you live or die, but this matter cannot involve me. I only want that old bastard's life, and I don't want to offend these people."

The old farmer pushed his cart down Sage Peak and hurried towards the village. When he was almost at the village entrance, he saw a man in a black suit and a foreigner walking towards him.

Li Banfeng remained silent, while Cui Tike stepped forward to greet him, "Old sir, where are you taking this cartload of grain?"

Upon seeing the foreigners, the old farmer hesitated to speak, stammering for a long time before finally saying, "This... this is for the Sage."

Cui Tike then asked, "Isn't Sage Peak over there? Why are you going in the opposite direction?"

The old farmer smacked his lips, pondering how to answer.

The atmosphere in Bastard Slope is quite different from other parts of Pro State. Foreigners are rarely seen here, and most people have never even seen one. Those who have seen foreigners treat them with utmost respect, and when a foreigner asks a question, the old farmer dares not refuse to answer.

But if he said he was afraid and dared not send his grandson up the mountain, the sage would surely hear him, and his grandson's dream of studying would be ruined.

The foreigner opposite me must be someone of great importance; I must be careful when speaking to him. The old farmer replied, "The sage said the grain is not of good quality; I will go back and get another cartload."

After saying that, the old farmer pushed his cart and hurried away.

Cui Tike sighed, "When I first came to Pro State, I didn't know why this place was called 'Bastard Slope,' and I didn't know why a place would have such a name. Now I know."

He looked up at Sage Peak, his face full of longing, and said, "We have created a disaster here with our own hands, and I can't wait to see what this disaster looks like."

Li Banfeng sighed and said, "I feel that my contribution to this matter is negligible."

Cui Tike said, "You don't need to be so modest. Regarding the mutation of the DaoLao Ghost, I provided the technology, and you created the opportunity. Our contributions are completely equal."

Li Banfeng was speechless. Cui Tike sighed softly and said, "I don't know how many people live here. In my memory, there should be tens of thousands. After this catastrophe, I wonder how many of them will survive."

Disaster has already struck Sage Peak, my friend. Are you ready? Are you ready to join me in witnessing this great achievement?

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly.

He shivered from time to time along the way.

Some high-level dangers cannot be directly perceived, but the Carriage Driver told him not to ignore the details, as many details are key to saving his life.

Cui Tike said, "You are Travel Cultivator, and I know you have the ability to Auspiciousness and Avoiding Calamity and seek good fortune. I can understand if you don't want to go up the mountain, but I myself will absolutely not miss such an important moment."

Cui Tike walked alone towards Sage Peak.

Li Banfeng went to a secluded spot and returned to his Portable Abode.

When he came out, he was followed by more than a dozen Cabbage Man.

A dozen or so Cabbage Man walked in different directions, while Li Banfeng himself entered the village closest to him.

At the village entrance, he encountered a young man who approached him and asked directly, "Do you want to die?"

The man was terrified. He lowered his head and backed away repeatedly, not daring to answer or look at Li Banfeng again.

"If you don't want to die, bring your whole family out and wait at the village entrance. I'll take you away."

Before the man could react, Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim and continued walking into the village, saying to a woman with a child, "If you don't want to die, bring your family and wait for me at the village entrance."

The Bastard Slope is full of despicable people, and they are very annoying.

But at least they should be given a chance to live.

A man sought instruction from a sage for eighteen consecutive years, but was never accepted. Yet, his admiration for the sage remained unchanged.

He stood on the village road, pointing at Li Banfeng, and said, "Fellow villagers, don't listen to these outsiders' lies and misleading remarks."

The changes in heaven and earth begin with the thoughts of sages. With a single thought, a sage can vanquish evil spirits. We, who dwell in this world under the protection of sages, how can we be misled by such petty villains?

"You wicked villain, I have long seen through your malicious intentions. I urge you to pull back from the brink and stop being so stubborn. If you wait for the saint to unleash his power, he will shatter you to pieces—..."

Kama!

Li Banfeng snapped the man's neck.

"Those who want to die, go with him," Li Banfeng said, pointing to the man's corpse. "Those who don't want to die..."

Wait for me at the village entrance.

On Sage Peak, the ground was littered with corpses, a scene of utter ruin.

Apart from the Sage's Residence, Foundation Establishment were destroyed.

The sage summoned hundreds of disciples from all over Pro State, and now only thirty-odd remain by his side, holding out in the mansion.

It became a little quieter outside the courtyard wall, as the DaoLao Ghost who had been besieging the mansion dispersed.

They returned to Knife Ghost Ridge to replenish their Yin energy, but another group of DaoLao Ghost would arrive soon. Don't underestimate the wisdom of the DaoLao Ghost; they know how to fight in shifts.

In close combat, they know how to utilize their strong physique; in long-range combat, they know how to leverage their range advantage.

Especially in group operations, they are very good at launching attacks in the poisonous fog, and their coordination with each other is very skillful.

The sage still held a sliver of hope, hoping to find a way to control the DaoLao Ghost through these days of battle.

As a result, he tried thirteen different Daoist methods with manipulation techniques, but none of them could have a substantial impact on the DaoLao Ghost's behavior.

Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but the number of DaoLao Ghost far exceeded the Sage's expectations. The Sage's disciples were almost all dead, while DaoLao Ghost seemed to have lost less than 10% of their number.

Having fought this far, it's clear that the Sage's Residence cannot be defended, but it's too late to leave now.

The disciples have already found out that Pan Dehai, Green Water Bow, Inkwell Scholar, Half-Mouthful Yellow Soup, Hundred Flowers Danqing, Smiling Face Ghost King, and Three-Pot Tobacco Pouch have all arrived at Sage Peak.

The sage knew the true nature of these people. He sighed and said, "You have followed me for many years, and now you are about to die with me on the battlefield. Do you have any regrets?"

The crowd shouted in unison, "We have no regrets!"

With tears in his eyes, the sage sighed, "You are all loyal and virtuous; my heart is greatly comforted!"

The scene was quite tragic. A disciple came to report, "Pan Dehai, the Local Earth God Sea Eat Ridge, has arrived at the gate of the mansion."

Upon hearing this, the sage gritted his teeth and shouted, "You who eat the emperor's food should be loyal to the emperor! Pan Dehai, you were originally a minister of the court, yet now you have committed regicide and treason! Do you know your crime? Do you know shame? You consider yourself a virtuous person, but do you even know how to write the word 'virtue'?"

Pan Dehai stood outside the door, chuckled, and said, "I studied diligently for twenty years, passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-eight, and served as an official for ten years with utmost diligence. You know how much I've done for you."

When I was thirty-eight, you discarded me like a used tool, demoting me with the saying "appoint people based on virtue first."

When I was forty-eight, the country was in turmoil, and you reinstated me. I helped you stabilize the country for two years, but then you dismissed me again, saying I was talented but lacked virtue.

I couldn't understand it back then. I was loyal to you and had a clear conscience, so why did you think I was so immoral?

When I later entered the path of virtue cultivation, I finally understood the truth behind it: virtue is not in your heart, but on your face.

"The thicker your skin, the deeper your virtue!"

The sage angrily exclaimed, "Shameless madman, how dare you act so presumptuously!"

Pan Dehai laughed and said, "A wicked and incompetent ruler, facing imminent death, why bother being stubborn?"

"Pan Lang, well said!" A scroll appeared in mid-air, and a stunningly beautiful woman walked out of the scroll.

The woman wore a brown overcoat with a high collar, slanted front, and wide sleeves, featuring a floral pattern. Although her attire was old-fashioned, it did not diminish her stunning beauty in the slightest.

Upon seeing the woman, Pan Dehai quickly bowed and said, "Senior Mu, I pay my respects."

The woman frowned and said, "It's fine if you call me 'senior,' but you have to call me 'elder senior,' as if I'm your grandmother."

Pan Dehai laughed and said, "If we're really talking about seniority, I wouldn't be at a disadvantage if I called you 'Grandma'."

The sage muttered a few words in the courtyard, and then Mu Yuejuan, the Hundred Flowers Danqing, arrived.

"Whose woman is this, shamelessly coming out to claim a grandson?" A drunkard staggered up to Mu Yuejuan, grinning, "Do you think I don't know you? You've slept with plenty of men, but you can't have children, not even a son. Where did you get this grandson from?"

Qiao Wuzui arrived after Half-Mouthful Yellow Soup.

A middle-aged man, carrying Smoking Pipe, said, "No matter how many men Miss Mu has slept with, it's none of your business, you drunkard. Your lust is useless!"

The tips of the Three-Pot Tobacco Pouch are turning Ye Jianhuang.

Qiao Wuzui frowned and said, "You look down on me, a drunkard, but you'd be interested in you, a smoker? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror?"

Ye Jianhuang laughed, "I've been so irritable these past few days, my urine is so yellow, I can't see my reflection. Don't believe me? I'll take a piss and you can see your reflection."

Another middle-aged man, his face deathly pale, stepped forward and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, let's not argue here. Today, since the Emperor has come, let's not be impolite."

The Smiling Face Ghost King, Gui Jianchou has also arrived.

Mu Yuejuan looked at everyone and said, "Since we are here to see the Emperor, it is not appropriate for a woman like me to walk in front."

Who among you is willing to be the first to meet with the Emperor?

Everyone lowered their heads and remained silent.

Mu Yuejuan sneered, "That's why I look down on you. Any random young man would have more spirit and courage than you."

Qiao Wuzui laughed and said, "Miss Mu, how do you know I don't have the guts? I didn't enter this courtyard not because I was afraid of this tyrant, but because I was afraid someone would stab me in the back."

Ye Jianhuang tapped his pipe. "What do you mean? Who are you talking about?"

Qiao Wuzui said, "Whoever laid a knife on me, I'm talking about them. How could I forget what I did?"

Ye Jianhuang sneered, "Why bring up those old grievances? If you're so capable, go in now and take that tyrant's head off so I can see it."

Qiao Wuzui said, "I really have the guts, but you must go before me, otherwise I won't feel at ease." Gui Jianchou laughed and said, "Brothers, let's not make any pre-arranged plans. Everyone who came today is a hero."

Mu Yuejuan said, "You're a hero, you go first!"

Gui Jianchou shook his head and said, "It's not that I'm cowardly, but I have plenty of Ghost Servant by my side. Sending a few to scout ahead wouldn't be difficult at all."

The array of towering mountains is indeed gone, but it's hard to say whether the Sage has any other tricks up his sleeve. Old Xu didn't explain it clearly in his letter, and he himself hasn't shown up, so I think this matter—"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Qiao Wuzui was unhappy. "Old Xu is helping Yao Xin the territory. It's understandable that he can't come. You're spineless. Don't try to pin this on others."

Cui Tike stood at a distance and watched.

He certainly wouldn't have a chance to speak in this situation, but the behavior of these people was something he simply couldn't understand.

The four cultivators—the demonic cultivator, the smoke cultivator, the wine cultivator, and the Painting Cultivator —possessed unimaginable strength. Now that Furengang no longer had its layered magic array, killing a saint seemed to be no challenge for them.

But they hesitated; none of them wanted to take action. Their hostility towards the saint was not even as great as their wariness of each other.

Green Water Bow raised his eyebrows, shook the bowl, and said, "I'll go."

R

Ye Jianhuang looked down at Green Water Bow and laughed, "Does this even concern you?"

Judging from his tone, Green Water Bow's status and cultivation level should be inferior to his.

But in Cui Tike's opinion, Green Water Photography is bolder than them.

Green Flower looked up at the crowd and said, "If you don't want to go and don't want me to go either, then wait here?"

Should we wait for DaoLao Ghost to come and then engage in a chaotic battle here?

No one spoke. Green Flower, swaying her bowl, walked towards the gate of the mansion.

The gate suddenly swung open, Song Deke, Sage Disciple, led more than a dozen people outside.

They were commanded by the sage to act as the vanguard and first dampen the enemy's morale.

Rushing in to fight might be a bit risky, but dealing with these disciples at the entrance would be a piece of cake.

The Smiling Face Ghost King returned to see his enemy, summoned his Ghost Servant, and prepared to strike first.

Song Deke showed no fear, stood tall and proud, lifted his shirt, and led his men to kneel down in front of everyone with a thud.

The situation changed rather quickly, leaving everyone somewhat puzzled.

Song Deke didn't say anything, but put his hands on the ground and kowtowed to his men first!

Bang!

A dozen people kowtowed, and the sound they produced was the same. What does this prove?

This proves that the heads were kowtowed in perfect unison! This proves the sincerity of Song Deke and his group!

He kowtowed three times; needless to say, his purpose was clear.

Green Water Bow asked, "Who's going to lead the way?"

Everyone scrambled to lead the way, Song Deke overpowered them, declaring, "I have the most seniority; I must lead this route!"

PS: Mu Yuejuan and Hong Ying's second brother had a relationship, which is mentioned in chapter 477.

Dear readers, Happy Dragon Boat Festival!