Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 267 My Taoist Name is Guigu

"come in!"

These words traveled through the thin mist; though the voice was not loud, it reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.

"Yes, Li Jing, you and the others wait here."

Wen Zhong, having received permission, gave the order, made a hand seal, and rode his escape light, heading slowly and steadily into the depths of Yunmeng Mountain, his figure gradually disappearing into the mist.

“Yes!” a young man beside him replied.

After Wen Zhong walked away from the crowd, a young man in black squeezed up and said, "Brother Li Jing, do you think the Ghost King has really been subdued?"

Li Jing remained silent, his expression still wary. In his mind, a strange "him" said nervously, "This place has indeed been cleared... You brat, don't go near us, we're no match for you."

As Wen Zhong rode the escape light deeper into the forest, the thin mist before him suddenly vanished, revealing a bright and clear view. He saw divine springs flowing over rocky cliffs, spiritual herbs growing along the slopes, auspicious beasts such as longevity deer and immortal foxes in the forest, and spiritual birds such as black cranes perched on the trees…

Gradually, Wen Zhong revealed a look of surprise.

Of course, having witnessed such grand scenes as the Biyou Palace, no matter how beautiful the scenery here was, it could not surprise him.

What truly surprised him was the change in this place: "Not only has the malevolent and sinister aura been completely swept away, but even the landscape is completely different from what was described in the intelligence..."

After traveling for a short while, Wen Zhong arrived deep in the mountains and saw a valley.

Deep in the valley, the roar of rushing water could be heard. Ahead, shrouded in mist, a white waterfall hung in the air, cascading down. Various rare birds and animals roamed around the pool below.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, Wen Zhong's gaze sharpened as he saw a reed hut by the pool, inside which sat a Taoist priest in a gray robe with irregular Bagua patterns on his robe.

Wen Zhong tried to sense the aura on the other party. The next moment, his whole body trembled. The figure immediately gave him a feeling of profound mystery. Although he was not as close to the Dao as his master, he was no less than the senior uncles of his sect.

“A Golden Immortal? No, that Ghost King here is almost comparable to a Great Power. The only one who can subdue that Ghost King here is… a Great Power…” Upon learning this, Wen Zhong dared not be negligent. He quickly stepped forward and landed in front of the reed hut. He bowed and clasped his hands, saying, “Grand Tutor Wen Zhong of the Great Shang Dynasty greets the Immortal!”

"No, I wouldn't call myself an immortal; I'm just a carefree hermit from the mountains!"

Yu Ding raised his eyes and glanced at him with a half-smile, saying, "I wonder what business the Grand Tutor of the Shang Dynasty has with seeking out a country bumpkin like myself?"

“I dare not deceive the immortal, there is a demon king who dwells in the mountains and forests, causing havoc and suffering to all living beings. I have come here to subdue the demon on the king’s orders.”

Wen Zhong glanced around and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "However... it seems that the wicked creature has already been subdued by the senior, so our actions were somewhat superfluous."

"Oh, you mean that guy? Well, there is such a thing."

Yu Ding pretended to think and said, "When I passed through this place before, that wretched fellow jumped out and demanded money from me. You see, I was penniless and had nothing to offer him, but he was still unwilling. So I had to reason with him."

"And tolls for passage..." Wen Zhong's lips twitched. He then carefully examined the Taoist priest in front of him. The priest had gray hair and a refined appearance. He looked like a venerable immortal, which made him feel awe.

"May I ask which sacred mountain or cave you cultivate in, senior?" Wen Zhong asked cautiously.

Although the primordial world is no longer as glorious as it once was, a powerful being in the present world is by no means an unknown figure, so he intends to make friends with him.

Yu Ding smiled faintly and said, "I am just a wandering cultivator from the mountains, traveling around. Wherever I go, that is where I cultivate! Come, fellow Daoist, please have a seat!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and flicked it, and a prayer mat appeared opposite him.

"You're quite carefree, senior!"

After listening, Wen Zhong sighed and sat down.

"While being carefree is good, a life of wandering and uncertainty is ultimately not a long-term solution."

As Yu Ding spoke, he waved his whisk, stood up and laughed, "Fortunately, I have come here this time and feel that this place is quite destined for me. It can be my place of cultivation. What do you think, fellow Daoist?"

"Senior, eliminating the great scourge of this place is already a meritorious deed. If you can cultivate here, that would be even better."

Following Yu Ding's tone, Wen Zhong quickly replied, "But I don't know your Daoist name, senior..."

"My Daoist name is..." Yu Ding's smile remained unchanged, but his mind was racing.

His change of appearance was naturally to avoid revealing his true identity, and to create multiple aliases to facilitate his actions during the Investiture of the Gods.

If it's not called Yu Ding, what else can it be called?

Should we come up with a name now? But he's terrible at naming things. Names like Tai Ding and Kong Xu are too childish and cringeworthy. What should we name him?
Wait a minute... Yu Ding suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

What's this place called again?

Guiguzi?

This name sounds... kind of familiar, but I can't worry about that now!
"Yesterday's events are like yesterday's death; today's events are like today's birth!"

Under Wen Zhong's expectant gaze, Yu Ding slowly said, "Since I am destined to be here, I will take this place as my Daoist temple. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Wen?"

Guiguzi? Could you be any more perfunctory...? Wen Zhong's lips twitched, and upon hearing the question, he hurriedly nodded and smiled obsequiously, "Alright, using this as a Daoist name is naturally excellent!"

"However, Fellow Daoist, I have a question that I do not understand."

"Senior, please speak!"

“I observe that your cultivation has already entered the path of immortality, and you are walking very steadily. So why do you still remain in this mortal world, listening to the orders of ordinary people? Is it because you are attached to the riches and honors of this mortal world?” Yu Ding said with a half-smile.

"Senior, you are joking. If I were greedy for worldly riches and honors, how could I possibly achieve immortality?"

Wen Zhong gazed at the waterfall with a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

“That’s true…” Yu Ding smiled. Cultivation can be roughly divided into three processes: learning the Dao, attaining the Dao, and finally becoming the Dao, also known as the Dao attainment.

“I became a disciple at a young age and cultivated for more than fifty years before entering the Dao Integration Realm. However, I struggled to attain the Dao afterward. Later, my master sent me down the mountain to experience the seven emotions and six desires, as well as birth, aging, sickness, and death, in order to pursue my own Dao.”

Wen Zhong recalled: "In the end, I was recommended by the prince to enter the court, where I experienced wealth and honor and assisted in governing the world. Fortunately, I attained enlightenment. After attaining enlightenment, I originally intended to leave quietly, but I never expected that the prince's time was coming to an end. On his deathbed, he entrusted his young son and the Shang Dynasty to me."

Firstly, he was kind enough to recognize my talent and influence; secondly, he was kind enough to help me achieve enlightenment; thirdly, we governed the world together, and although we were nominally ruler and subject, we were truly close friends. His dying wish… I simply cannot refuse.”

As he finished speaking, Wen Zhong's voice weakened, and he sighed with a complicated expression.

Yu Ding listened quietly to the sound. If he understood correctly, the prince Tuo that Wen Zhong mentioned should be the later King Wen Ding of the Shang Dynasty.

The royal family of the Shang Dynasty had the surname Zi, and Prince Xian was the current King of Shang, Emperor Yi.

The son of Emperor Yi was Emperor Xin, also known as the legendary tyrant King Zhou, who initiated the Investiture of the Gods.

"If it were you, senior, would you agree?" Wen Zhong suddenly asked.

"Me?" Yu Ding simply shook his head upon hearing this.

This is indeed a difficult choice, but judging from this, Wen Zhong is indeed as he remembered him: loyal, righteous, and courageous...

This is an advantage, but sometimes it is also a disadvantage.

A fatal flaw!
Wen Zhong had already achieved immortality and could have lived a carefree life, but this promise was like an invisible chain, binding him to the Shang Dynasty court. In fact, the Shang Dynasty was now in decline, and the royal power had waned. Even Wen Zhong was powerless to change this situation and could only act as a troubleshooter, running around putting out fires for the Shang Dynasty.

He later died on the battlefield during the Investiture of the Gods, in the campaign against Xiqi.

If Wen Zhong had left so gracefully, perhaps his fate would have been different...

Thinking of this, Yu Ding shook his head again and sighed. Some things are simply beyond our control.

He believed that apart from the twelve unlucky guys who had committed murder and did not want the great calamity to come, there were countless other guys who were looking forward to it. Even if he wanted to stop the calamity from coming, those guys would do everything they could to push it forward.

So... even if Wen Zhong doesn't agree, the outcome might not be any better than before.

Thinking of this, Yu Ding's mood suddenly became inexplicably heavy.

"However... I will be free soon."

Suddenly, a smile of longing for freedom appeared on Wen Zhong's tired face: "Once I have properly trained the new prince, I can leave with peace of mind."

I think you might be overthinking it… Yu Ding glanced at him and smiled, “Then congratulations, fellow Daoist.”

Character determines destiny!

Wen Zhong's personality dictates that he would never stand idly by when the Shang Dynasty fell into trouble...

That's why people like Wen Zhong are even more worth befriending, because when something happens, he really knows how to handle it.

Then, the two started chatting.

Wen Zhong was soon shocked to discover that no matter what topic he brought up, this Mr. Guigu could always respond and chat with him.

Astronomy, geography, yin and yang, the eight trigrams, talismans and magical artifacts... This Master Guigu knew what he knew, and this person also knew what he didn't know.

"Does the gentleman understand the art of governing a country?" Wen Zhong asked in surprise.

Yu Ding flashed his signature smile: "I know a little, I know a little!"

"Also, I only know a little..."

Wen Zhong's lips twitched. This man had been claiming to know a little about this, including his areas of expertise.

Then, when they discussed it, the other person actually understood it more deeply than he did.

"Sir, you are truly a remarkable person. What do you think, sir...?"

Wen Zhongmeng's mind stirred as he thought of the current predicament of the Great Shang Dynasty. Perhaps this person might have a solution.

"Ahem, Grand Tutor Wen, it's getting late today."

Yu Ding coughed lightly, interrupting the conversation.

Wen Zhong glanced at the time and, sure enough, it was already dusk. He stood up and laughed loudly, "Then I'll come and bother you again another day!"

Yu Ding stood up and watched him leave with a smile.

"By the way, sir, if you ever come to Chaoge in the future, please be sure to inform me in advance. Wen Zhong will definitely come to greet you," Wen Zhong said solemnly.

Yu Ding simply smiled and nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Soon, Wen Zhong, beaming with health, rode the light of his escape to the immortal sword, whereupon the cultivators of the Xuan Bird Division immediately surrounded him.

"Grand Tutor, how is it?"

"Great news! It's true what they say: tigers and leopards hide in the deep mountains, and unicorns lurk in the wilderness!"

Wen Zhong turned around and glanced behind him, saying, "There is a... extraordinary person living in this valley! Return to Chaoge immediately; I must report to the King!"

Behind the crowd, the young man looked at the excited Wen Zhong, then glanced into the depths of the thin mist, his eyes flickering with doubt.

"Yes!"

The next moment, the enormous immortal sword shot through the air.

"We've become somewhat acquainted..."

Sensing the immortal sword soaring through the air, Yu Ding nodded slightly and withdrew his gaze.

Wen Zhong is indeed a friend worth having, but distance makes the heart grow fonder. He's genuinely there for you when you need him, and he'll come looking for you when you need something. You never know when he might come looking for you.

Many people are afraid of his junior brother's "Fellow Daoist, please wait," but Wen Zhong has tricked just as many people as his junior brother...

After the Legend of Sword and Fairy arrived in Chaoge, Wen Zhong left everyone behind and hurriedly headed towards the royal palace.

Is it really that miraculous?

In the crowd, the young man in black glanced at Li Jing and the others, his eyes flickered, and after a moment of thought, he suddenly disappeared into the crowd.

Before long, they arrived at the back gate of a magnificent mansion, climbed over the wall, and easily found their way to a courtyard.

"Who?"

In the courtyard, a valiant young girl was practicing her sword when she suddenly noticed something and pointed her sword to one side.

"Huang Mei, it's me!"

The young man came out, and the valiant young woman put down her sword in surprise: "Third Prince, how... how could you trespass into my courtyard?"

"Huang Mei, there's no time to lose, I need your help."

The young man said this while cautiously looking around.

The girl asked in surprise, "What is it?"

"Half an hour later, bring your brother's five-colored divine ox outside the city."

The girl, eager to try, exclaimed, "What, you want me to steal my brother's sacred cow... and elope? How exciting!"

The young man was exasperated: "There's no time to explain. Just do as I say, and I'll explain when I get back."

Not long after, outside Chaoge City.

"Good ox, do you still recognize me? This time, we're counting on you."

The young man touched the five-colored divine ox, climbed onto it, and looked firmly toward Ghost Valley. He squeezed the ox's belly with his legs, and the divine ox, in pain, immediately flew away into the distance with clouds rising from its feet.

P.S.: Sorry I'm half an hour late!

(End of this chapter)