Laozi Left Hangu City Westward, Three Cries of "I Go," Three Thousand Miles of Suffering

(This is basically a new volume; I'm experiencing some writer's block. There will be more tonight.)

"Before leaving Hangu City to the west, I actually acquired a cow?"

"It's all about timing and fate!"

A soft sigh echoed through the Secluded Bamboo Forest, leaving Jin Jia, Su Qiansuan, and Ruan Yutu all puzzled.

Only the Miss Mingyue, who was squatting to the side wiping the sweat from Zhang Fusheng's forehead, changed her expression.

She stared at the young man who reeked of a foul odor, and spoke in a trembling voice:

"What does it mean to ride an ox westward out of Hangu City?"

Zhang Fusheng glanced at her, and at that moment he could also smell the stench emanating from himself.

The Heavenly Human Fourth Decline is a foul-smelling body.

The Heavenly Human's Myriad Marvelous Body, naturally pure and clean. However, when the fourth stage of decline arrives and their blessings and lifespan are exhausted, they suddenly become foul and unclean.

Accompanying this is the fourth level of the wondrous Heavenly Human's Profound Dharma, namely, becoming one with Heaven and Earth.

His body was in perfect harmony with heaven and earth; every gesture seemed to embody the principles of the universe. Even when not speaking of the law, his every word flowed like a lotus flower.

The Celestial Person have reached the fourth stage of decline, and also the Celestial Person have reached the fourth stage of wondrous appearance, cause hundreds of flowers to bloom and withered trees to revive when they walk on the ground.

When traveling in the heavens, eighteen purple qi accompany it, and wherever it passes, the wind stops, the rain ceases, and the sunlight becomes gentle.

The surrounding bamboo groves now appeared even greener.

Zhang Fusheng sighed, making no attempt to hide anything, and calmly said:

"I am me, but I am not just me. The Great Celestial Venerable said that I should be the Lao Tzu of this era, walking among men and practicing the truth."

"He said, 'I will eventually travel west, leave the Golden Province from Hangu City, and go to a wider world to face a greater number of people—'"

"And at that time, I will ride an ox, and perhaps strange phenomena will follow."

Jin Jia and the others were confused, but Miss Mingyue's heart was trembling.

For a long time.

She sighed softly, looking as if she had come to a complete understanding, and said:

"I see!"

Amidst the astonished and uncertain gazes of the crowd, she stood up, placed her hands clasped together, and bowed to the slumped Celestial Person of the Four Decays on the ground:

"I have met you, Lao Tzu."

Zhang Fusheng just smiled:

"I am myself first, and then everything else, whether things or people. Why must you be so formal, Miss Mingyue?"

"Hey, the Golden Armored Being couldn't help but ask:"

"What is Laozi? Why does it sound like an obscene word?"

No one answered him.

Zhang Fusheng slowly opened his mouth and spat out the Plague Heavenly Position, which quietly flowed out and fell into the hands of Miss Mingyue amidst the envious eyes of Jin Jia and Su Qiansuan.

The heavenly position aligns with her.

"The fusion of celestial positions is not something that can be achieved overnight; it will take at least two or three months."

The Miss Mingyue said softly:

It's almost December now.

"December?"

Zhang Fusheng was stunned and somewhat dazed, realizing that he had actually been wallowing in darkness for a whole month.

In this way.

There are only two months left until February 9th, the so-called 'Great Opportunity'.

"I must leave," Zhang Fusheng said solemnly. "I'm going to the World Plateau to find that lost city there."

The Miss Mingyue nodded, and at that moment, a faint black imperial robe appeared on her body—belonging to the Plague Heavenly Position.

Or rather, it is a symbol of the Great Emperor Wenguang's Heavenly Position.

She is becoming a "True God".

True God is not a state of being, but a general term for deities who sit in a celestial position.

Whether or not one sits in a celestial position is a world of difference to the gods.

I meant to say, "Be careful on your journey."

The Miss Mingyue said softly:

"But upon closer reflection, there's no need for that. Given your status, wherever you go is destiny; Heaven's Will is with you."

"But I don't like the idea of destiny," Zhang Fusheng replied.

Their every word was like a witty exchange, and the two venerable ones listening nearby, though puzzled, wisely refrained from asking further questions.

The Miss Mingyue pointed to the scroll:

"The true form of the True Lord Scarlet Ox is sealed within the scroll. If the scroll is torn up, He will perish immediately—His life is in your hands."

"This red ox left outside, though merely a wisp of will, a divine embryo descended to earth, is sufficient for its purpose of transportation."

Zhang Fusheng looked at the red ox lying motionless on the ground, and felt a sense of disorientation—the former God of Plague,

The very thing that could have brought about the annihilation of the entire Jiangzhou was now groveling before him, and might even become his 'mount'.

He has a dreamlike quality.

"This red ox may not be completely obedient and needs more training, but with the scroll in hand, it won't rebel."

The Miss Mingyue calmly narrates:

The stronger one is, the more they cherish their life.

She rose, about to enter a brief period of seclusion, and at this moment offered Zhang Fusheng her final token of affection.

"Although I have only just begun to assume the Plague Heavenly Position and still need time to adjust, I have already grasped most of the authority."

"Now, all these powers will be fully open to your plague demon body, Young Master Zhang. When the plague slumbers, it will be the God of Plague walking on the earth."

The blood-red skeleton emerged from the black mist, being blessed by the Miss Mingyue, who inscribed a precious seal upon it and even left some of her true blood, which merged into the plague demon's body.

Su Qiansuan and Jin Jia exchanged a glance and then presented gifts.

"I have nothing of value to offer, so I will give Brother Zhang a handful of bamboo groves."

He waved his hand boldly, cutting off ten miles of bamboo forest from the secluded and tranquil bamboo grove, and said:

"This is the Heavenly Bamboo, which blooms only once every hundred years. Its flower is Calming Spirit Tea. Moreover, these bamboos also have wonderful uses against enemies. When the wind blows, the bamboo forest exudes Pure Qi that soothes the soul."

"Most importantly, bamboo forests can be planted in divine realms, and when necessary, they can manifest behind one's back, their Pure Qi flowing for thousands of miles."

Zhang Fusheng thanked him solemnly, and the ten-mile-long Secluded Bamboo Forest instantly transported him to a divine realm. With a thought, the ten-mile-long bamboo forest immediately appeared behind him.

The bamboo grove sways gently, Pure Qi flows through it, creating a scene resembling a wondrous fairyland.

Jin Jia, standing to the side, was having a toothache. Old Su was really going all out; if he were to give him something ordinary, it would seem rather stingy.

Thinking of the Heavenly Throne again, he gritted his teeth and decided to take action:

"I observed that Brother Zhang once rode in a divine chariot and carried a celestial bow, but he had no other weapons—of all the weapons in the world, the sword is the foremost."

As they spoke,

The golden-armored man looked pained as he plunged his hands into the void, then pulled them out...

A green sword had appeared in his hand.

"This sword is extraordinary."

He took a deep breath:

"Although it's a replica of a Supreme Treasure, that Supreme Treasure was extremely ferocious and powerful, nailed deep into the starry sky, piercing through a star beast exceeding level 5—the very source of the Whale-Peng lineage!"

Zhang Fusheng examined the longsword; its blade was ancient and simple, radiating a faint purple qi and a divine, Immortal Light.

On the hilt of the sword, there are only two ancient seal characters.

It is called -- Zhu Xian.

Zhang Fusheng and Miss Mingyue both widened their eyes, while the Golden Armored Being continued its incessant chatter:

"Brother Zhang, don't underestimate this immortal sword. Although it's a replica, it's a unique piece; there's only one replica of it in the world!"

He sighed softly:

"This is a replica personally crafted by the Speaker after he ventured deep into the starry sea to depict the scene of the Progenitor Whale-Peng being pinned to the void by the original sword."

"Later, through various trials, it was finally bestowed upon me. Unfortunately, I am not skilled in Sword Dao. Today, I present this Ethereal Immortal Slaying Sword to Brother Zhang!"

Zhang Fusheng bowed again:

"Thank you so much, Brother Golden Armor!"

He took the longsword, his eyes widening in disbelief— the Immortal Slaying Sword!

Although it's merely a replica of the Immortal Slaying Sword, and even more superfluous—with its blade surrounded by a celestial Immortal Light —it's called the Ethereal Immortal Slaying Sword.

However, it is evident that the materials used are of exceptional quality, and the craftsman was also very skilled. This sword is even comparable to some 'Supreme Treasure'!

He merely placed his palm three inches from the sword's edge; this person, who had swallowed half of Jiangzhou, possessed a divine body of flesh and blood, and an innate Vajra physique.

But it had already cracked, and drops of precious blood were flowing out!

Zhang Fusheng licked his lips:

"Although I am not skilled in Sword Dao, I think that with this Divine Sword, I will have to start practicing swordsmanship from now on."

He finally exchanged pleasantries with Su Qiansuan, the Golden Armored Being, and the Miss Mingyue.

After Su Qiansuan's repeated requests, he finally agreed to bring his adopted daughter, Ruan Yutu.

Before leaving.

The Golden Armored Being spoke up to remind them:

"I've received news that things have gone mad on the World Plateau. Everyone is searching for the whereabouts of Chongyang World, and even deities are now wandering the World Plateau."

"Brother Zhang, I'll be frank. Your face is on file in the capital. Because of your rapid progress, you've attracted attention and are considered a core member of the Gaotian Association."

Zhang Fusheng understood and nodded, saying:

"I will be careful to temporarily change my appearance, and then reveal my true form once the Chongyang World arrives and the Gaotian City is truly built."

As they spoke,

Zhang Fusheng controlled his body, no longer maintaining the wondrous form, and instead allowed the Heavenly Human's Fourth Decline to invade his physique.

In just a few breaths, he had aged prematurely, his hair was white and withered, sweat dripped from his armpits, his clothes were filthy, and he exuded a faint stench.

Just like an unkempt old man—accompanied by the vicissitudes of tens of thousands of years of cultivation—no one who came would recognize him as Zhang Fusheng!

Ruan Yutu picked up a magic rope:

"This is also a replica of a priceless Supreme Treasure called [The Rope for Binding Immortals], which is perfect for leading oxen."

She led in the reluctant red ox, which mooed in dissatisfaction.

Zhang Fusheng, who looked like an old man nearing the end of his life, smiled and muttered like a true country old man:

"Woo-le-le, let's go, let's go!"

He then mounted the red ox, with Ruan Yutu leading the way by holding the rope. The red ox let out a "moo"!

The ox and the two men, stepping on the Pure Qi of the bamboo forest, slowly descended along the golden road.

Go west, go west.

On the golden road, Zhang Fusheng sighed softly, slapped the ox's head, and began to sing loudly:

"Let's go!"

He struck the red ox's head with his palm, producing a sound like a drumbeat—'Thump!'

With a resounding crash, the ten-mile-long bamboo forest swayed behind them, its gentle, Pure Qi penetrating the sky and showering upon the dragon boat.

Some old friends, such as Zhong Yue and Lu Yao, were infused with Pure Qi, and their bodies began to shine brightly. The Twelve Refinements were completed in an instant, and in another instant, their five internal organs opened up.

In the blink of an eye, he had almost reached the level of a grandmaster.

Ruan Yutu, leading the red ox, had already reached the middle section of the Golden Avenue.

The old man on the ox's back raised his hand a second time and sang, "Go!"

The palm struck the red ox's head a second time, like the sound of a drum; and in that sound,

Above Zhang Fusheng's head, Sea of Consciousness, formed from eight thousand nine hundred years of Mental Accumulation, began to rise.

The golden-armored figure was moved, Su Qiansuan's expression changed.

That spiritual attainment of eight thousand nine hundred years fell into the void after the destruction of Heaven and Earth of Jiangzhou.

There, it evolved into a floating city.

That was Jiangzhou, the hometown of Zhang Fusheng, from the bustling First District to a speck of graffiti in the darkest alley of the ninth district.

Even the bricks and tiles of Linshu Middle School, the underground clinic, and the milk tea shop not far from Jiang University...

Even the ivy on the walls of the milk tea shop—it's all exactly the same.

Just like before, just like every year.

Then.

To Transforming the False into the True.

Thus, the Jiangzhou City came to be, empty and desolate, standing in the void after a bubble had burst and shattered.

Ruan Yutu, leading the red ox, had reached the end of the Golden Avenue.

"Go!" The third chant was sung, followed by the third palm strike, lightly tapping the bull's head.

The red ox, displeased, its hair like steel needles, let out a moo, and the drumbeats finally surged forth.

This time, in this final cry, in this single drumbeat.

Zhang Fusheng opened his mouth, his tongue blossoming like a lotus flower, and spat out a mouthful of his own primordial blood, a mouthful of [Human Ancestor's Blood] as radiant as the morning sun, which evaporated into a misty fog.

The fog gradually thickened, then dispersed throughout the Golden Province, reaching every corner of the land and every city.

Along with it, the authority of the epidemic also dissipated.

It was during this winter month of December.

Flowers bloom in profusion, vying for beauty; barren trees come back to life; and mountains turn green.

Throughout the entire province, those who had contracted the disease had their illness and the plague quietly removed.

The disease that had been withdrawn gathered together and became so densely tangible that it transformed into a three-thousand-mile-long Plague Qi, chasing after the red ox and the old man, spreading out in a misty haze.

As the red ox was about to travel west, Plague Qi swept eastward for three thousand miles.

The three drumbeats faded away, and the drumbeats Silence Below.

One sound bestows the Way upon the old friend; another sound revives the old place; yet another sound blesses dozens of heavens and earths and countless living beings.

Ruan Yutu led a red ox, which carried an old man. Behind the old man was a bamboo forest, and above them, the Plague Qi stretched three thousand miles from the east.

They finally stepped off the golden road and onto the desolate land thousands of miles Hangu City.

Then.

The bamboo grove dispersed, the Plague Qi dissipated, the Immortal Light vanished, and the divine radiance disappeared.

An old man, a young boy, and an ox, all seemingly ordinary, silently journeyed towards Hangu City, the gateway to the outside World Plateau.

He was heading west, westward.

"Compassion, compassion!"

Zhang Fusheng sighed softly, his face showing great sorrow and suffering, as if all the hardships of the world had beenfallen him.

The ox is heading west, heading west.

High above, in the bamboo forest, the Miss Mingyue gazed at this scene in a daze.

She murmured:

"It's right, but why isn't it quite right?"

A dot of vermilion between her brows made her look like a fairy stepping out of a painting, a strange expression appearing on her face.

In those years, Lao Tzu went west out of Hangu Pass, riding a blue ox, and Purple Qi Coming from the East three thousand miles.

Now, Lao Tzu has left Hangu City again, but this time he is riding a red ox, and the air coming from the east has become Plague Qi stretches for three thousand miles.

"The purple qi for three thousand miles, a celebration of heaven and earth; the Plague Qi stretches for three thousand miles, taking away the suffering of the people."

The Miss Mingyue murmured:

"It's hard to say who will win or lose."

She clasped her hands together, bowed solemnly to the now tiny figure, and said:

"Compassion, compassion!"

Jin Jia asked:

"How do you observe Buddhist Sect etiquette?"

The Miss Mingyue replied:

"He rode an ox westward, intending to become a Buddha, to save all living beings, and to enlighten the ignorant, just as he had done in the past."

"Therefore, all beings will venerate him as [the Tathagata]."

Jin Jia and Su Qiansuan looked at each other, pondering the words "Buddha".