Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 445: Yun Zhen Sanshan inherits the seal, the sword sweeps across the wilderness to protect the people

The main peak of the Huangyun Mountains rises high into the clouds, and the glazed eaves of the Yunxia Palace appear dimly in the twilight.

Inside the hall, 1,600 ancient bronze lamps were arranged in a Nine Palace formation, with the wicks burning with dragon fat, and the green smoke transformed into auspicious clouds that snaked like swimming dragons.

On the cold jade table in the center of the hall, spiritual fruits and delicacies were displayed. A pot of priceless Huanzhen wine was being warmed by a wine-serving boy using a magic fire. The aroma of wine mixed with the aroma of medicine filled the entire hall.

"Hahaha, Master Zhao, the position of the garrison commander of Huangyun Mansion this time must belong to you!"

Zhang Aofeng, the law enforcement elder of Huangyun Mansion, raised his wine glass, and the amber spirit wine in the glass rippled. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and wore a black robe embroidered with silver law patterns. He had a sword to slay evil hanging from his waist, but at this moment he smiled in a rather flattering manner.

The old man in the yellow robe sitting on the main seat, Zhao Deyan, stroked his beard and smiled, with a hint of complacency hidden in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

As the deputy governor of Huangyun Prefecture, he has been involved in the management of prefecture affairs for more than a hundred years. Now, the new governor, Linghu Shan, a true disciple of the sect, has been promoted due to his merits. In terms of seniority and cultivation, this position should have come naturally to him.

This is also the tacit understanding between the local area and the sect. When a sect appoints a leader, the next one will often be a local monk.

"Alas, Ao Feng, you have spoken out of turn after drinking again. The sect has not yet issued an edict on this matter, so we cannot speak rashly." Zhao Deyan waved his hand in a humble manner to stop the disciple from continuing speaking.

Generally speaking, the less well-off a family is, the more expectations they tend to place on their children, which can be seen from a person's name, such as Zhang Aofeng.

Aristocratic families with real heritage, on the contrary, tend to be humble, modest, and willing to retreat, and they believe in giving in first.

Zhang Aofeng was born in a poor family in Huangyun Prefecture. He studied Taoism in a Taoist temple since he was young. He could not even afford the most basic tuition fees. There was no help from his family, so he could only practice Taoism on his own.

Now that he has cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage and accumulated merit to become a law enforcement elder, it can be said that he has emerged from a mountain of swords. However, he is still a bit impetuous in his words and deeds, and it is too easy for others to see what he is thinking.

Xie Jinghe, the general affairs elder sitting at the lower right, chuckled and opened the folding fan in his hand.

"Brother Zhao, you are too modest." Xie Jinghe's voice was as gentle as jade, but his eyes were shining:

"I have received news from the mountain a few days ago, saying that Grandmaster Xuan Zhenzi is quite satisfied with the performance of Huangyun Mansion in recent years. Moreover, the Linghu garrison commander even wrote a letter in front of us personally, recommending you. This matter is most likely a foregone conclusion."

At this time, Zhuo Xuelan, the disciple standing behind Zhao Deyan, couldn't help but interrupt:
"Master has worked hard for the Huangyun Mansion for a hundred years. Last year alone, he reduced his vitality and lifespan by suppressing the evil energy of the earth. If he cannot be treated fairly, I will be the first to disagree!"

Zhao Deyan was a Taoist master in Huangyun Mansion in his early years. Zhang Aofeng, Zhuo Xuelan and others were all his disciples. There were also many such cultivators in Huangyun Mansion. It seemed reasonable that Zhao Deyan should make another step forward.

Moreover, at Zhao Deyan's age, only by becoming the garrison commander of Huangyun Prefecture and making certain contributions can he get more resources from the sect and make further progress.

Zhao Deyan has been a Taoist master for many years, so his accumulation of Taoist theories should be sufficient. If he can be promoted to a Divine Transformation cultivator, it will be beneficial to everyone in the Huangyun Mansion.

At this moment, a somewhat hurried cry of a crane was suddenly heard outside the hall.

Everyone frowned slightly when they heard the voice.

A moment later, a messenger crane with wings glowing white flew through the hall's restrictions, holding a scroll of legal decree surrounded by purple air in its mouth.

Zhao Deyan's expression changed slightly, as if he had sensed something. He stood up calmly, bowed to Xianhe, and then took the decree.

As the sect's decree unfolded, Zhao Deyan's face gradually turned from red to white.

"Master Zhao, what happened?"

Zhang Aofeng knew his teacher, who was very good at cultivating qi. If it wasn't a big deal, he would never be so pale.

"The sect has issued an order... True disciple Lu Cheng will take over the post of the garrison commander of Huangyun Mansion from today onwards."

"How could this be? Didn't the clan receive the recommendation letter from Linghu Guardian?"

The wine glass in Zhang Aofeng's hand exploded with a "pop", and he was unaware of the wine splashing on his robe.

Xie Jinghe slammed his folding fan shut, and Zhuo Xuelan took a step forward, anger almost bursting out of her eyes.

"Lu Cheng? Is he the monk who got a bargain in the South China Sea?" Zhang Aofeng gritted his teeth, "He is only at the Nascent Soul stage, how can he..."

“Ao Feng, be careful with your words!” Zhao Deyan suddenly shouted, and the pressure of the late Nascent Soul stage instantly enveloped the hall.

He took a deep breath, slowly put away the decree, and forced a smile on his face: "Junior Brother Lu is the true disciple of Grandmaster Xuan Zhenzi, and he is very promising at a young age. It is a great favor for the sect to have such a talented person in charge of Huangyun Mansion."

Xie Jinghe was the first to regain his composure. He waved his folding fan and smiled, "Brother Zhao's broad mind is truly admirable. Speaking of which, I still have some miscellaneous matters to deal with in the General Affairs Hall, so I will not continue the banquet with you all."

The General Affairs Hall is relatively independent in the Huangyun Mansion system. Whether it is Zhao Deyan's success or the parachuted Lu Zhenchuan's success, they cannot do without the support of the General Affairs Hall.

Everything that happened here today cannot be concealed in the future as long as Lu Zhenchuan is determined. Therefore, instead of continuing to waste time here, it is better to make his attitude clear directly. Although it may be a bit embarrassing, sometimes the sect’s stance cannot be unclear.

This time, either the east wind will prevail over the west wind, or the west wind will prevail over the east wind. Xie Jinghe chose to stand in the middle because he had the qualifications to stand here.

After Xie Jinghe left, many Taoist officials from his lineage also left with him.

Although there were many disciples of Zhao Deyan present, the banquet was still deserted.

Two days later, the Huangyun Mountains were covered with dark clouds.

Taoist Lu Cheng stood on the top of the clouds, overlooking the 30,000-li mountain and river below. The east was connected to the Netherworld Ghost Cave, the west was connected to the Taiqing Main Vein, and a gray-white ghost aura could be vaguely seen wriggling in the mountains like a living thing.

There are many alien races here, including the Netherworld Ghost Clan, the Two-Headed Barbarian Clan, the Eight-Handed Clan, the Water Clan, the Winged Clan, etc. However, because it is close to the Xuanyin Demon Gorge, the Netherworld Ghost Clan is relatively the strongest. The other alien races are just insignificant and cannot really threaten the survival of the human race here.

"What a great place where yin and yang collide." The Taoist looked down from the clouds, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. The sect entrusted such a strategic point to him to guard, and the intention of polishing it was self-evident.

If it is a pearl or jade, it will naturally shine, but if it is a brick or stone, the only end up is to be smashed to pieces.

"Master Xuan Zhenzi is a sword cultivator after all... He is often cruel in his conduct, and is like this to others, and to himself as well. His temperament conflicts with the ethos of the sect over the past ten thousand years, so it's no wonder that there is constant opposition and impeachment."

While he was thinking, three beams of light suddenly flashed out from the clouds ahead. Three monks dressed in Taiqing clothing came with swords. The leader had a resolute face and a jade token with a yellow cloud pattern hung on his waist.

"But is Guard Lu here in person? I am Zhao Hanshan, the steward of Huangyun Mansion, and I have come here to greet you on the orders of the Mansion Master."

Lu Cheng glanced at the three people and saw that they were all in the late Jindan stage. They were calm and composed, and obviously had been through many battles. He nodded slightly:

"Thank you, Deacon Zhao."

Zhao Hanshan led the way, his sword flashing towards the east. "The Palace Master has already prepared a banquet in the Yellow Cloud Palace. The heads of all the peaks are here, waiting for the arrival of the Guardian."

As the clouds moved, the outlines of seven peaks gradually emerged. On the central peak, a Taoist temple stood tall, with copper bells hanging from the eaves ringing in the wind, spreading layers of spiritual light.

"There are seven peaks in Huangyun. The East Peak is responsible for punishment, the West Peak is responsible for spiritual plants, the South Peak is responsible for refining weapons, the North Peak is responsible for commanding Taoist soldiers, and the three peaks in the middle are the residence of the Palace Master, the General Affairs Hall, and the Wanfa Hall respectively."

Lu Cheng's eyes flashed when he heard this: "Daoist soldiers?"

"That's right." Zhao Hanshan looked embarrassed when he heard this: "It's just that the previous garrison commander took away his trusted Xin soldiers when he was transferred. Now there are only a few old and weak soldiers left in Beifeng, and I'm afraid they are not fit to be used..."

A border government like this one would often send two Divine Transformation cultivators to take charge, one as the governor and the other as the garrison commander.

The lord of a palace usually does not take care of military affairs, but he is also the last guarantee of a palace. He often has space magic weapons in his hands. When things are hopeless, he can take the local elite monks and evacuate to avoid the enemy.

Sometimes, the sect would also send a true disciple of the Nascent Soul Realm to guard the border with the sect's Taoist soldiers, using life and death to hone the cultivators' Taoism in order to achieve a breakthrough.

The clouds gradually dissipated, and Lu Cheng followed Zhao Hanshan and pressed the escape light, and the full picture of Huangyun Mansion gradually appeared before his eyes.

The seven peaks are arranged like the Big Dipper, and the golden roof of the Huangyun Temple on the central main peak shines brightly in the setting sun.

However, the most eye-catching thing was the large crowd of people kneeling like ants in the thousands of miles of Huangyun Mansion.

"This is..." Lu Cheng frowned slightly when he saw this.

Zhao Hanshan replied respectfully: "Reply to the garrison commander, this is the tradition of Huangyun Prefecture or the surrounding areas. All previous garrison commanders have to stay here for hundreds of years to protect the territory and the people, so the people kneel down to welcome them spontaneously."

He paused, lowered his voice and continued, "Even the monks in the palace today are included in this list."

Lu Cheng's eyes swept across the mountain path. The monks kneeling in the front row had different patterns on their robes, but they were obviously monks with magical powers. They lowered their heads and were respectful. The mortals behind them stretched for miles, and many of them had their foreheads pressed against the ground, not daring to raise their eyes.

"This is a bit too much." Lu Cheng said this, and then continued: "It's thoughtful."

If it is a tradition that has existed in a region for thousands of years, then there is no need to force it to change. This form can also make every garrison commander feel the weight of power and responsibility in his hands.

He walked slowly past the kneeling crowd, his robe brushing against the stone steps, making a slight rustling sound. It was not until he reached the square in front of the temple that he heard the rustling sound of people getting up behind him.

"Junior Brother Lu is here? Please come in quickly!"

The door of Huangyun Palace was wide open, and an old man with white hair and a youthful face stood on the steps with a smile. He was wearing a plain white Taoist robe, with a jade token hanging from his waist. It was Han Qingyun, the master of Huangyun Palace.

Lu Cheng was very respectful: "Junior Lu Cheng, I pay my respects to Palace Master Linghu."

"No need to be polite." Han Qingyun stepped forward and took his arm affectionately, then said, "You are new here, so tonight should be a welcome party for you, so don't be restrained."

The banquet had already been set up in the palace, with delicacies and fruits displayed on the jade table, and the dragon-fat lamps illuminating the whole room.

Lu Cheng was led to the guest of honor seat and sat down, his eyes glancing at both sides.

On the east side sat a monk in a black robe with sword-like brows and starry eyes, with a majestic magic sword at his waist; on the west side sat an elegant man holding a fan, looking at him with a smile.

"This is the law enforcement elder Zhang Aofeng, and this is the general affairs elder Xie Jinghe." Han Qingyun introduced them one by one: "You will gradually get to know the other peak leaders."

"The Dharma Master Zhao Deyan suppressed the earth veins a few years ago and his injuries have not healed yet. I will introduce him to you in a few days."

After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere gradually heated up. The wine boy brought a jar of sealed mud old wine, and Han Qingyun opened it himself, and the whole hall was immediately filled with fragrance.

"This jar of 'Huanzhen Brew' that has been sealed for three hundred years was prepared specially for Junior-nephew Lu." Han Qingyun said with a smile, "This wine is made with the 'yellow peach fruit' that is unique to Huangyun Mountain, and supplemented with seven kinds of spiritual herbs. It is the best for nourishing the Nascent Soul."

Lu Cheng raised the cup and took a sniff. It was indeed filled with spiritual energy.

At the banquet that day, both the host and the guests had a great time. During the meal, the law enforcement elder Zhang Aofeng came over several times to toast, giving Lu Cheng the impression that he was an extremely enthusiastic person.

"This True Lord Ao Feng is the third best master in Huangyun Prefecture. He was born in a small mortal town under the jurisdiction of Huangyun Prefecture. His family was poor when he was young, and his parents were tenant farmers. Because of his excellent physique, he was admitted to the outer sect Taoist temple, but because he had no money to pay the tuition, he could only work as a handyman and study part-time. When he was fifteen years old, he married the daughter of his mentor, and then he was able to improve his Taoist practice.

After the golden elixir was perfected, he volunteered to guard the Xuanyin Demon Stream sentry tower. One night, thousands of ghosts rushed out, and the seven monks stationed with him all wanted to abandon the tower and flee. Zhang Aofeng blocked the retreat with forbidden magic and shouted: "Those who retreat will be killed!" Then he led the monks to guard the tower with swords for three days. When the reinforcements arrived, the corpses and ghosts in front of the tower piled up like a mountain, and the yin energy was as black as ink. At that time, his left arm had been torn off by a ghost general, but he still bit the hilt of the sword with his teeth to nail a ghost general to death. After the battle, he erected a monument in front of the sentry tower with the words "Those who cowardly fight will die". Since then, the monks in Huangyun Mansion have been in awe of his name. "

During the banquet, Palace Master Han sat at the head of Lu Cheng's table, chatting with him. He mentioned the law enforcement elder Zhang Aofeng, and expressed admiration for him in his words.

"My humble home and humble alley are no obstacle to me. I can follow my heart and make my own way. A humble origin is not a disgrace to such a person."

After hearing about Zhang Aofeng's deeds, Lu Cheng admired him even more. He raised his glass and saluted him from a distance, causing Zhang Zhenjun to stand up and return the toast with an excited look on his face.

Lu Cheng behaved very easily in response to Lord Han's invitation and at the banquet that night.

But after the banquet that night, whenever someone came to invite Lu Cheng, he refused. After all, a cultivator should put his own cultivation first.

As the garrison commander of Huangyun Mansion, Lu Cheng has many high-level caves within this 30,000-li mountain and river area. Although they are the property of the sect, the spiritual stones and spiritual objects produced by the caves during his tenure also belong to the cultivator in office, which is considered as part of the offering.

Inside the cave abode of the Huangyun Guardian, the Seven Lights Mysterious Pearls were hung on the dome, and the starlight dripping down was like a veil.

Lu Cheng sat cross-legged on the jade couch, with a "Xuanyuan Dichen Pill" the size of a longan floating three inches in front of him.

Lu Cheng closed his eyes and breathed in and out to practice his internal energy. The powerful magic power in his body moved like a dragon, and there were faint sounds of wind and thunder.

The Taoist lightly tapped the incantation with his fingers, and the suspended pill turned into a stream of light and sank into his mouth. In an instant, the powerful medicinal power rushed through his meridians like a river bursting its banks.

Wisps of black and gray smoke gradually seeped out of Lu Cheng's body. It was the Samadhi True Fire burning in his dantian, refining the poison in the elixir into green smoke.

The main body has already cultivated the primordial spirit, and the external incarnation swallows pills to speed up the accumulation of magic power. Even if there is some backlash, it can be resolved calmly.

The jade talisman in the air of the cave flickered, reflecting the Taoist's face in a half-bright and half-dark way.

The God of Mountain Guarding stood in the shadow like a clay sculpture, his stone armor pieces emitting earth-based spiritual light, transforming the turbid air in the earth's veins into pure spiritual power to feed back to his master for his practice.

This God of Guarding Mountains is difficult to subdue, but once subdued he is indeed honest and loyal.

After a long time, Lu Cheng suddenly opened his eyes.

The golden light in his eyes was like lightning, leaving a three-foot mark in the air before dissipating.

"Huh, I was too impatient. After all, I was just one step away..."

With a light sigh, the Taoist flicked his sleeves and pushed open the stone door.

Outside the cave, the sea of ​​clouds was rolling, and it was dusk. In the distance, the smoke from the mortal city was curling up, entangled with the spiritual mist in the mountains to form a blue and white gauze curtain.

"Accumulating mana is a gradual process. Just practicing hard will not work. Go out for a walk to change your mood."

As this thought appeared in his mind, the next moment Lu Cheng's figure turned into a ray of light and fell towards the city in the distance.

The long streets are crowded with people, and a Taoist walks alone, strolling with his sleeves rolled up.

Lu Cheng knew clearly that one cannot be impatient when it comes to practicing Taoism. Sometimes, even if there is nothing wrong with you, you still have to see whether the heaven and earth are willing to allow you to break through.

Wandering around, back and forth, when you've seen enough of the world, you're ready to return.

"Are you...are you the town guardian?" Suddenly, a child's voice sounded clearly from the side.

Lu Cheng was startled when he heard this, and turned to look at a ragged girl in an alley in the city. She was about seven or eight years old, with a thin body wrapped in tattered coarse clothes, carrying a bamboo basket with some messy things in it, and a pair of eyes that were surprisingly bright, like stars in the dark night.

Lu Cheng had noticed her gaze a long time ago, but he didn't care. After practicing Taoism for thousands of years, a monk's heart would gradually become harder.

"Do you know me?" Lu Cheng asked in a deliberately deep voice.

Since the other party took the initiative to establish a relationship with me, I don’t mind a little cause and effect.

"Two years ago, when we knelt down to pay respect to the town guardian, the old lady lowered her head and didn't let us look. But I wasn't afraid. I looked up and saw that the town guardian was really handsome!"

"What's your name?" Lu Cheng was interested and squatted down to look her in the eye.

"My name is Zhaodi! Grandma said that if I had a younger brother, I could fight monsters!" Facing this immortal-like man so closely, the originally brave little girl answered timidly, but then she mustered up the courage to ask again:
"Since the master is here, there won't be any monsters coming anymore, right?"

Lu Cheng was stunned when he heard this and did not answer immediately. He reached out and gently brushed away the grass debris in Zhaodi's hair. When his fingertips touched her thin shoulders, he could clearly feel the protruding bones under the thin clothes.

This small body carries too much suffering and fear that shouldn't belong to this age.

"Where are Zhaodi's parents?" he asked softly.

The little girl's eyes dimmed, she lowered her head and rubbed the ground with her toes: "Five years ago, they were captured by the monsters of the Eight-Handed Clan... I don't even remember what they look like."

Lu Cheng's finger paused slightly on Zhao Di's shoulder. Five years ago, the evil spirit of Xuanyin Demon Gorge was rioting. The Eight-Handed Clan took advantage of the chaos to plunder border towns. The list of casualties reported by Huang Yunfu clearly stated "no loss in the entire territory".

But in a flash, Lu Cheng figured out the whole cause and effect of the matter. Exaggerating military achievements and only reporting good news are things that all lower-level county governments would do.

Not to mention that this little thing can't hurt the person in charge here at all. Even if it were me, wouldn't I ever do such a thing?
It is human nature to seek benefits and avoid harm.

"Originally I just wanted to give you wealth and honor. Even if this fate has ended, now it seems I have no choice but to keep you by my side.

Lu is not a gentleman of moral integrity, but since there are ripples in my heart, it is not that I have no stagnation in my thoughts and I have no clear mind and nature. "

Lu Cheng chose to keep this little Zhaodi by his side to temper his own Taoism.

(End of this chapter)