Inviting the Old Gentleman to Leave the Mountains
In the time it takes to burn three or four incense sticks.
Sure enough, a grand procession appeared in the vicinity. The local fishermen were astonished at the sight, for it was none other than the entourage of Marquis Ji Chang of the West!
Could it be that Marquis Ji Chang of the West, has arrived?
Upon realizing this, many fishermen knelt down and dared not rise.
Only Jiang Ziya was not far away, did not sense the change. He simply sat calmly on the rock, gazing at the beautiful scenery before him, lost in thought.
The ceremonial guard stopped nearby, Ji Fa dismounted from his tall horse and helped the Marquis Ji Chang of the West, down as well.
The group then strolled around the area.
Sure enough, they found an old man in gray sitting upright and fishing on the bank of the Hidden Stream not far away.
The old man sat there cross-legged, exuding an otherworldly aura.
Although he was wearing tattered clothes, they looked spotless.
His hair and beard were completely white, making him look like a very old man, but his complexion was excellent and he was in good spirits, clearly a Daoist priest who had transcended worldly concerns.
Upon seeing this person, Marquis Ji Chang of the West, immediately became excited.
He was now certain that the person before him was indeed the extraordinary master the Old Man of the Antarctic Immortal had spoken of.
Once this master is found, his Xiqi will be loyal and fearless in the face of any challenge.
He couldn't wait any longer and immediately walked forward, with the crowd following closely behind.
Before the group even got close, they heard an old man singing an unfamiliar song in the distance.
The west wind rises, white clouds fly; the year is drawing to a close, what will become of us?
The Colorful Phoenix clearly reveals the true God, but few know my pole's rarity!
The weathered voice and the melodious singing gave everyone a strange and indescribable feeling.
Hearing these words, Marquis Ji Chang of the West, became even more certain that this person was the great power he was looking for.
He quickly walked straight over, and when he got close, he gestured for everyone to step back and not approach.
He himself slowly walked forward and stood beside the stone.
He examined it closely.
The old man had a completely white beard, yet he possessed a strange and captivating charm, truly exuding the aura of a reclusive master!
"This old man is right."
"I am Marquis Ji Chang of the West."
"I heard long ago that there was an extraordinary person here. Legend has it that this person fishes with a silver needle and can even catch koi. I was very curious, so I came to see for myself!"
"I wonder why the old gentleman used a silver needle to catch the koi? Could it be that he had some other intention?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziya finally turned his head to look at Marquis Ji Chang of the West.
He has been waiting here for more than six or seven years.
Now, the Marquis Ji Chang of the West, has finally arrived.
He's fishing for kings and nobles here; isn't he fishing for Marquis Ji Chang of the West?
Upon hearing Ji Chang's question, Jiang Ziya naturally answered.
"I am Jiang Ziya, also known as Flying Bear. The reason I am fishing with silver needles here is simply because I do not wish to kill any living beings."
"I'm fishing here with a straight hook simply so I can have a full meal; that's all. I'm not greedy at all!"
Therefore, we do not deceive, cheat, lure, or profit from them; those who are willing will take the bait, and that is all.
Jiang Ziya was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.
Are there really so many different arguments surrounding this?
This only fueled his curiosity.
Jiang Ziya's image became even more imposing and enigmatic in his eyes.
"Sir, if you use a silver needle to fish here, will you be able to catch any fish?"
Marquis Ji Chang of the West, was genuinely curious.
With this kind of fishing method, it would be strange if you could catch any fish.
The many ministers behind him naturally felt a sense of unease.
This old man seems to be deceiving the Marquis.
He looks like a charlatan no matter how you look at him.
However, a fisherman nearby couldn't hold back any longer and, kneeling on the ground, spoke up:
"Reporting to Your Excellency, this old man is truly a prodigy!"
"You can actually catch fish using a straight hook."
"Two koi fish every day, no more, no less, day after day, never coming home empty-handed."
"Just now, we even caught a huge koi carp, about half the length of a person! It was golden and shimmering with red light; it was truly breathtaking."
"It's such a pity that this strange old man released it again; it's truly heartbreaking."
The fisherman lying on the ground was a talkative man, and he immediately recounted what he had seen and heard.
Marquis Ji Chang of the West, was also taken aback when he heard this.
Just now, this amazing person even caught a koi carp that was half the length of a person?
Flashing red light, dazzling gold light?
Is this even possible?
For a moment, Ji Chang looked at Jiang Ziya with surprise and doubt, his eyes seemingly revealing disbelief.
If that's really the case, then that giant koi fish might have become a spirit.
Seeing the other party's shocked expression, Jiang Ziya couldn't help but smile faintly.
"I'm an old man fishing; those who are willing will take the bait!"
"Perhaps it was that big koi carp that saw me as a bit foolish and came up to tease me."
Ji Chang's expression did not look too good upon hearing this.
Willing to take the bait?
There seems to be a hidden meaning in those words.
Could this be a veiled reference?
Is he referring to himself again?
Didn't I travel all the way from Xiqi City to this place?
Isn't it just like that big koi fish—willing people take the bait?
Is this a self-deprecating joke?
Marquis Ji Chang of the West, had a slightly dark complexion.
A small flame has already begun to rise within me.
However, for the sake of Xiqi's future, he had no choice but to obtain Jiang Ziya.
Although he was unhappy, the old man could only endure it.
"Sir, you are indeed a man of great talent, for you even fish with a straight hook."
"Although it may seem illogical, it actually contains a hidden secret: those who are willing will take the bait; this is the will of Heaven."
"Any fish that is caught is destined to be caught, whether by fate or by fate itself, and perhaps it is destined to be connected with the old man."
Marquis Ji Chang of the West couldn't help but shamelessly utter a few words.
What he said makes some sense.
The elderly Jiang Ziya burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"I have long heard that Your Excellency is a great sage of the land, possessing the qualities of a great ruler. Now that I have met you, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."
"Though born of a mortal body, his understanding of the Great Dao is truly remarkable, his Spirit Terrace insight penetrating and profound! I admire him greatly!"
Upon hearing Jiang Ziya's words, Marquis Ji Chang of the West, showed some improvement in his expression.
I am the fish that gets caught.
But Jiang Ziya sat there fishing for years on end.
But there are reasons why I have no choice but to sit here in vain.
To be honest, he wasn't much better than me.
After exchanging pleasantries for a few more moments, Ji Chang finally spoke up and asked a question.
What are the views of the venerable Mr. Jiang Ziya on the current state of the world?
"Now, Xiqi has widely issued edicts, inviting all the feudal lords of the land to jointly raise an army to attack."
"However, we haven't received much response yet, and we don't know what the future holds for Xiqi."
"Could you please enlighten me, sir?"
Jiang Ziya was an old scholar who had cultivated Daoism on the mountain for over forty years, gaining much enlightenment and naturally possessing a wealth of knowledge. Now that Marquis Ji Chang of the West, had asked a question, Jiang Ziya smiled slightly, pondered for a moment, and then answered:
"Since Your Excellency has asked, then I will not be coy and will speak frankly. If there is any offense, I hope Your Excellency will forgive me."
He paused slightly before speaking again.
"I also spent some time in Chaoge, so I have a fairly good understanding of the Yin Shang and the affairs of Chaoge."
"Originally, that Human Emperor could be described as cruel, tyrannical, and utterly incompetent. The fortunes of the Yin Shang dynasty were about to be exhausted, and it seemed to be at the end of its rope."
"But for some reason, that foolish ruler suddenly sobered up at the crucial moment and immediately implemented many policies that benefited the country and its people. The fortunes of the Yin Shang have now been rekindled."
"These six or seven years of benevolent governance have brought the Yin Shang's national fortunes back to a certain peak."
"What's even more terrifying is that that tyrant actually created a statue of a Saint himself during his confrontation with the Saint. It has to be said that that tyrant did have some terrifying methods."
"Even so, Heaven is not on his side, which is extremely contradictory. Heaven wants to destroy him, but the Yin Shang is Tongtian with extraordinary fortune. This contradiction is extreme, and I'm afraid he will suffer a great calamity in the future!"
"And Lord Hou, as the ruler of Xiqi, is himself a great and powerful ruler."
"With good fortune bestowed upon them, and with good fortune also in Xiqi should logically be in accordance with the Heavenly Dao, showing strong signs of replacing the Yin Shang!"