Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 357 Always Good at Saving People, Therefore No One Is Abandoned (5.2K words, seeking monthly votes at the beginning of the month~)

Deng Qingyang's generosity and straightforwardness delighted Shi Tongxuan and Cheng Xinzhan. After thanking him repeatedly, they left Yangmingshan and returned to Yuzhang.

"Master, the sect name has been decided."

On the way, Cheng Xinzhan smiled and chatted with Shi Tongxuan.

Shi Tongxuan nodded.

“I’ve already thought it through. The Tao Te Ching says: ‘The sage is always good at saving people, so he has no abandoned people; he is always good at saving things, so he has no abandoned things. This is called inheriting enlightenment.’”

"These resurrected corpses are neither human nor thing, having severed their ties to the past and having no relatives or friends, thus they can be considered abandoned people and abandoned things. Although I am a mortal cultivator, I have long heard the words of the sages and followed their deeds. Now, I have established a sect to save these abandoned people and abandoned things."

"Therefore, following the words and deeds of the sages, we will take the name 'Ximing' from the classics and call ourselves the Ximing School. Our doctrine is: 'We are always good at saving people, therefore there are no abandoned people; we are always good at saving things, therefore there are no abandoned things.'"

Cheng Xinzhan repeated it twice, nodded, and said,

"The founder was virtuous and learned, and the name and doctrine of the religion are easy to pronounce and have lofty aspirations."

Shi Tongxuan laughed,

"Stop flattering me. We have an agreement: I'll be the leader, and you'll be the deputy leader. Don't try to renege on that later."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled wryly and said,

"Aren't the founder and the sect leader going to reconsider? At my age, being a mountain lord or a scripture master is already extraordinary. Why would I want to be a vice sect leader?"

Shi Tongxuan chuckled upon hearing this and said,
"You're just the deputy leader of the lower sect, what are you afraid of? It just so happens that Langshan Sect was established from scratch, so you can learn about management affairs and get some practice, and practice for the position of deputy leader of the main sect."

"Besides, you were the one who brought this up. I'm getting on in years and I'm still out here with you, do you think you can just sit back and do nothing?"

Cheng Xinzhan felt somewhat helpless, knowing that a refusal was definitely out of the question, so he asked another question.
"Master, after you leave the mountain, who will succeed you as the deputy sect leader?"

The sect originally had four vice leaders, each in charge of their own affairs to maintain the sect's operation. Later, after the ginseng fruit incident, the patriarch became lazy and resigned as vice leader of the Chunyang Hall, volunteering to guard the Five Prefectures Mountain, leaving Leader Dong to oversee the eight veins of the Lotus Blessed Land alone.

However, the matter of the seal at Longhu Mountain was soon exposed, and Master Lu was sent to a grotto to cleanse his primordial spirit. As a result, the Patriarch was brought back to govern Yujing Peak. Later, Master Dong left Yuyang to guard Feixia Mountain, so the Patriarch returned to the blessed land of Pingding Mountain, concurrently leading both Chunyang and Yuanyin, while Master Su concurrently led both Yujing and Shennv.

There are only two vice leaders now. If the founder passes away, does that mean Leader Su will have to hold four positions?

Upon hearing this, Shi Tongxuan smiled and said,
"Have you forgotten that Marshal Kui has already emerged from seclusion? How could the sect leader allow the old man to remain idle?"

"Oh, yes, Marshal Kui has emerged from seclusion." Cheng Xinzhan realized.

The grandfather and grandson chatted for a while, and soon arrived in Yuzhang, where they parted ways. Shi Tongxuan headed towards Sanqing Mountain; now that the Daoist temple was established, he needed to inform the people of Yuxu Peak and Ni Mountain to go and regulate the mountain range and the earth's energy. Cheng Xinzhan, on the other hand, went to southern Jiangxi; with the establishment of his sect imminent, manpower was still somewhat scarce.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The mountains of southern Jiangxi rise and fall, shrouded in mist. Having been there once before, he knew the way well and found the place. He arrived at a place where the mountain shape resembled the ridge of nine dragons and landed at the spot where the nine dragons were vying for a pearl.

It is Qingluan Village, one of the four major Feng Shui schools in southern Jiangxi.

This time, however, there was no further proclaiming of his identity at the gate as before. The guards at the entrance of Qingluan Village immediately struck the golden gong upon seeing Cheng Xinzhan approach, then quickly came forward, bowed respectfully, and greeted him.
"I have met Mr. Guangfa."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded in return and said,

"I have come to discuss some matters with the four heads of the family."

The man replied immediately.

"Please come in, sir. The four heads of the family have already instructed that as soon as you arrive, please enter the Yang Ancestral Hall and the four heads of the family will be there immediately."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and said okay.

In reality, before he even entered the Yang Ancestral Hall, the four heads of the family and several high-ranking clan elders had already come to greet him upon his arrival in the village.

After a brief exchange of compliments and pleasantries, and once everyone was seated, Cheng Xinzhan explained the purpose of their visit. He smiled and said...

"I've come here again because I need your help with something."

Upon hearing Cheng Xinzhan's words, the faces of these family heads and elders were filled with uncontrollable elation. They knew perfectly well how much of a benefit Qingluan Village had gained when the Master had come to ask for help last time.

"Please issue your decree, sir."

These people all stood up and said in unison.

Cheng Xinzhan asked them to sit down and said,

"That's right. My ancestor, who is also the nineteenth generation master of Meiji Mountain, is now the deputy master of Chunyang Hall and Yuanyin Hall of the mountain gate. He is also the Tongxuan Daoist. He is preparing to build another Daoist temple outside the mountain and establish a sect."

Upon hearing such momentous news, the members of the four major families were naturally shocked and offered their congratulations, while a hint of doubt also appeared in their eyes. Since it was about the Three Pure Ones splitting into a new sect and the Four Realms becoming ancestral temples, it was clearly aimed at the Shizong Grand Sect. What could possibly require their help in such a matter? If it was merely a matter of observing the ceremony, there was no need for Master Guangfa to personally make the trip, was there?

They waited for what would follow.

Cheng Xinzhan continued,
"This time, the patriarch will establish a teaching in Langshan, Hunan, with the doctrine of 'Always do good to save people, so there are no abandoned people; always do good to save things, so there are no abandoned things.' He will teach the Great Way of Yin and Yang and will also take in and educate the yin corpses in the world who are turning towards goodness."

The four families looked at each other, their doubts turning into surprise. They never expected that the Immortal Sect would establish a sect of Yin Corpses.

Cheng Xinzhan noticed the change in their expressions, but remained calm and composed as he spoke.

"The original intention of establishing this great religion is to save people and things, to persuade ignorant zombies to do good, to eliminate the chaos of the Yin Corpse, and to create an unprecedented path for the righteous way."

"However, yin cannot grow alone, and yang cannot be born alone. The sect cannot accept only corpses as disciples. Humans, demons, spirits, ghosts, and monsters are all included in the sect. Moreover, there is no discrimination in the sect, and all are equal in status. Cultivators in the world who are devoted to the Yin-Yang Dao can enter the sect to learn the methods."

"However, establishing a religion is a complex undertaking, requiring like-minded individuals to work together. Especially at the beginning of its establishment, a group of people who are familiar with and do not despise the Yin Corpse are needed as the foundation of the religion, to undertake the important tasks of subduing evil corpses, persuading wild corpses, and teaching new corpses."

"I wonder if the sons of the four great families are willing to shoulder this heavy responsibility, and whether they are capable of undertaking it?"

Cheng Xinzhan explained his purpose, and after he finished speaking, he quietly looked at the heads of the four major families in front of him.

He had a very good impression of the four families, partly because of the Meijiyama secular lineage, and partly because the four families had performed admirably in the last battle at Mount Pudu. That's why he came again this time.

Establishing a religion is certainly not something that can be accomplished with just words, especially since Cheng Xinzhan wants the newly formed Ximing Sect to quickly pose a threat to the Three Corpse Sect and resolve the Three Xiang Corpse Calamity. Therefore, this is not something that can be done slowly.

If you want to be fast, it all comes down to strength and manpower.

The principle of "might makes right" holds true everywhere. If just any random person were to find a place and claim to have established a religion to convert the Yin Corpses, people would simply laugh at them.

Even if Cheng Xinzhan himself were to become the sect leader, it wouldn't work. The sect was established at the third level, and the level of cultivation was limited. Even the declaration made when the sect was established couldn't be spread to a single place. This determined that it would only be a small sect confined to a corner, and it couldn't even be called a major sect.

How can one expect the Three Corpses Sect to be intercepted and cause all the Yin Corpses in the world to come to it voluntarily under such circumstances? Must it be captured entirely? If so, there's no point in establishing the sect. The purpose of establishing the sect is to encourage high-level corpse cultivators with good intentions to spread the word and come to it voluntarily. Only low-level, ignorant zombies with low minds need to be captured and brought to the mountains for further education.

To achieve the former, one needs strength, requiring a highly accomplished and renowned great cultivator to establish the sect. To achieve the latter, a certain number of basic personnel are needed in the early stages of establishing the sect; one cannot expect the founding great cultivator to go around capturing newly awakened little zombies.

Fortunately, Cheng Xinzhan, who wanted to do this, was not a reclusive cultivator in the mountains, nor was he a lone wolf.

He was the direct descendant of Meiji Mountain, so when he wanted to do it, the Four Realms Ancestor, who was proficient in the Yin-Yang Dao, stepped forward to establish the sect and become its founder.

Sanqing Mountain, Juqu Mountain, Sanyuan Mountain, Gezao Mountain, and Bingfeng Mountain are the five major immortal sects that formed the Haoran Alliance. Cheng Xinzhan is the Wanfa Scripture Master of Sanqing Mountain and the Guangfa Master represented by the four mountains. Therefore, Deng Qingyang, the head of Hengshan Sect, trusts him and gave up Langshan.

For him, strength is actually an easy problem to solve.

Another issue is the manpower needed in the early stages of establishing the church—sufficient and suitable manpower.

Meiji Mountain has a sparse population, which goes without saying. If we look at the entire Sanqing Mountain, there are certainly enough people, but they are not suitable.

For example, the Thunder Cultivators of Cardinal Mountain are inherently averse to the yin and evil. They can be forced to exterminate Yin Corpses, but cannot be compelled to teach Walking Corpses. While the Cardinal Mountain example is somewhat extreme, this aversion to the yin and the dead is prevalent in Eastern Taoist sects.

After thinking it over, Cheng Xinzhan concluded that the four major families in southern Jiangxi were the most suitable.

Feng shui funerals and the concept of "yin corpses" (spirited corpses) are inherently inseparable. In the process of locating burial sites, one inevitably has to deal with spirit corpses. Therefore, in addition to the principles of feng shui, the four major families are all highly skilled in suppressing and raising corpses.

Because constantly exploring hidden places could easily disturb zombies, methods for suppressing them were developed. This was also the reason why Cheng Xinzhan invited the four major families during the last Pudu ceremony at Tianqiao Mountain. Having encountered many zombies, the idea of ​​recruiting them naturally arose, much like training hawks and hounds for hunting—it was a natural progression. Therefore, the four major families also developed a lineage of zombie-raising. And this was precisely the reason Cheng Xinzhan had come this time.

The emotions in the eyes of the four families in front of him, from the moment Cheng Xinzhan sat down to begin his story, changed from initial ecstasy to doubt, then to shock, and finally, after Cheng Xinzhan finished speaking, they returned to ecstasy.

They all understood that this Taoist priest, who had already given their family one chance to change their fate, was now offering a second one:
Family members can join a newly emerging Sejong faction!

To hesitate for even a moment longer in the face of such an opportunity would be to trample on the fate of one's family.

"Having received the imperial edict, please rest assured, Master Guangfa, the members of our clan will certainly be able to shoulder this important responsibility and do their utmost!"

These people stood up again and responded loudly. Several of the older clan elders were already red-faced with excitement.

Cheng Xinzhan was quite satisfied with the result and nodded.
"Alright then, you all should communicate internally first and come up with a list, including biographical information. They should be single-minded and have a firm will. There are no age limits, no cultivation level limits, no limits on Qiankun level. Naturally, the more people the better. Let's keep the ratio of corpse-raising lineage to corpse-suppressing lineage around 6:4. Is five days enough?"

Cheng Xinzhan had a clear plan: manpower shortages were only a problem faced in the early stages of establishing the sect; at this time, more people were always better to achieve scale. Once the Ximing Sect was officially operational, the high-level corpse cultivators and low-level zombies would become mutually supportive.
High-level zombie cultivators only need to reveal their cultivation level and release their aura to subdue low-level, ignorant zombies. This is much more convenient than the disciples of the sect having to go through the trouble of capturing them. Furthermore, the captured low-level zombies can be educated and taught methods, allowing them to cultivate to a higher level even faster, and then bring back new zombies.

When the doctrine of "Always be good at saving people, so there are no abandoned people; always be good at saving things, so there are no abandoned things" spreads throughout the world, and the practice of raising corpses gradually becomes accepted by the world, the Ximing Sect or its branches will have to recruit disciples normally like ordinary major sects of the Shizong Sect. Naturally, they will have to go through many screenings and assessments, and there will no longer be such a large-scale recruitment.

"That's enough! That's enough!"

After Cheng Xinzhan finished speaking, the members of the four major families quickly responded.

"Okay, it's settled then. In five days, one of you will be chosen to come to Sanqing Mountain. Someone will contact you."

Cheng Xinzhan stood up, finished speaking, and took his leave.

The four families saw them off to the village gate, and then the entire Qingluan Village was once again in an uproar.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sanqing Mountain, Sanqing Palace.

After returning to the sect, Cheng Xinzhan went straight to the sect leader.

"Looks like the talks went smoothly?"

Seeing Cheng Xinzhan's light steps and relaxed expression, Ji Hehe asked with a smile.

Cheng Xinzhan nodded.
"Master Deng was very generous, and the members of the four major families were also very cooperative."

Ji Hehe was all smiles.
"I never would have thought that after so many years, my Sanqing Mountain would finally have four more people from different realms establish their own dojos and spread their branches. When was the last time? Hmm, that was when Senior Brother Taiqi from Yaoguang Mountain founded Guanshui Temple in Dalong Mountain, Qingzhou. That was five or six hundred years ago."

"Hehe, everyone wants to stay at home and not move, so I can't urge them, because I'm too lazy to move either. These days, you're the one who has the most influence in the sect. As soon as you open your mouth, Tongxuan will move his butt."

Ji Hehe chuckled to himself, showing no trace of the demeanor of a fifth-realm master cultivator and a sect leader.

Cheng Xinzhan was already used to it and asked about the important matter.
"Sect Leader, what do you think of that flag?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Hehe's smile faded. He took out a black cloth, a tattered black and red cloth, and a triangular command flag with a red background and dragon embroidery. The last one was the command flag that Fire Dragon Island frequently used during its expansion and island-grabbing operations. After each island capture, this flag was planted on the spiritual vein eye.

Cheng Xinzhan had tried to get the flag several times, and each time he would try to study it as much as possible. His initial thought was that this kind of small flag was connected to the aura of the Fire Dragon Island's great formation, and he wanted to see if he could find a way to break the island's protective formation and get closer to the dragon corpse from the flag's restrictions. But the more he studied it, the more he felt that something was wrong.

Besides the magical auras such as [Yin Xie], [Xue Sha], [Ding Huo], and [Long Wei], and the corresponding restrictions, this flag also contains a very deep and hidden magical restriction.

This magical restriction could not have been discovered by Cheng Xinzhan if he had not possessed the inner divine spirit of the Crown Prince Bingling and the Azure Eye of Dharma. If he had lacked either of these, he would not have been able to discover it. This magical restriction was written in the ancient underworld official script, Ghost Seal!
Prince Bingling was one of the creators of the Ghost Script, the official script of the Underworld, while the Azure Eyes were the supernatural powers of the Underworld judges, capable of seeing into the netherworld. It was precisely because of the combination of the two that Cheng Xinzhan was able to find that small Ghost Script restriction deep within the layers of magical restrictions that led to the discovery of the small flag.

What kind of prohibition requires writing in underworld script and being hidden so deeply?
When Cheng Xinzhan approached the ghostly script with his divine sense, he sensed a familiar meaning—it contained the flavor of "Huangji Zhengwu Sha"!

Gu Chen?!
Cheng Xinzhan's alarm bells rang, but he dared not delve too deeply into the matter or attempt to dismantle the ghostly inscriptions, fearing exposure. At the same time, he couldn't very well take it back to an elder more knowledgeable in magical artifacts and restrictions. Because the number of flags delivered from above was always fixed; missing even one would mean failing to meet his quota.

It wasn't until after he recognized Shubao that his first personal servant, Che Liangcai, who was also the head of Duobao Guard, facilitated the matter.

According to Shu Bao, the flag was not made in one go. First, the Duobao Guards of Diyin Island sent batches of black flags. Then, the Duobao Guards of Huolong Island refined the black flags a second time according to the method personally taught by the Crimson Corpse God, and added a flagpole. Only then did it become the red flag with dragon embroidery that Cheng Xinzhan saw.

This secret was known only to the Crimson Corpse God Lord himself, the chief steward whom the Crimson Corpse God Lord trusted, Che Liangcai, and the few Yin Corpses who personally crafted the flag. No one else knew about it.

However, even Che Liangcai and the Yin Corpse in charge of refining the weapon were unaware that the flag from the Yin Island contained a ghost seal restriction.

Hearing these words confirmed Cheng Xinzhan's suspicions; it was indeed related to Gu Chen.

The good news is that we are currently in a period of rapid expansion away from the Sea of ​​Fire, acquiring many islands and thus needing many flags. Therefore, Earthly Yin Island has been continuously sending flags, and the several weapon-refining Yin Corpses within the Duobao Guard have been making flags day and night. As a result, the Duobao Guard's secret vault has always been stockpiled.

Furthermore, the Yin Corpses responsible for making the flags in the Duobao Guard were not master craftsmen, and crafting such a command flag was no simple task. They were unaware that the flag contained Ghost Script, but the unique restrictions taught by the Crimson Corpse, exclusive to Fire Dragon Island, were also formidable. If, during the crafting process, the Fire Dragon Island restrictions were miscarried, or if a conflict arose between the Fire Dragon Island restrictions and the Ghost Script, the flag would be destroyed.

Therefore, in addition to finished products, Duobaowei's secret storehouse also contained many defective products.

Therefore, Cheng Xinzhan had Shubao control Che Liangcai to steal one of each of the finished flags and command flags, as well as one of the incomplete ones in between. He then rolled them up with a Xuanji Wulou Talisman and sent them back to the sect with a flying sword. They ended up in Zhu Shen's hands and then in Ji Hehe's hands.

However, the number of flags and dragon flags is recorded in the secret vault. Although Che Liangcai is usually in charge of the inventory, the Grand Steward and the Crimson Corpse sometimes inquire about it. Cheng Xinzhan didn't dare to delay for too long, so he took the initiative to ask again.

At this moment, Ji Hehe handed the two flags back to Cheng Xinzhan and said,

"I was just about to talk to you about this. Not long after you and Tongxuan left the sect, True Person Chengchu sent a letter. I discussed it with her, and we basically reached the same conclusion:"
"First, the ghostly script hidden within the black flag should be a set with Gu Chen's 'Mysterious Yin Gathering Beast Banner.' Second, this small red flag is also an auxiliary flag; the Crimson Corpse should also have a main flag, forming a set with these smaller flags, capable of both offense and defense. Third, the new restrictions added to this flag by Fire Dragon Island, besides their usual functions, have a special effect—they can actively destroy the ghostly script."

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(End of this chapter)