Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 598 Going Their Separate Ways
—Yunjiao Prefecture, Xuanwei City
On the seventh day of the tenth month of the 522nd year of the Qianfeng reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, the deity in charge was the White Tiger, and the year was Renxu.

It was another year for the Emperor's birthday celebration, and compared to other places, the Qin State Duke's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers much more elaborately. This was also true even for the Wu Ning Marquis's residence, which was holding a series of funerals.

Huo Ying had only been gone for three days, perhaps due to the grief, when He Wanying, the only junior sister of the Kang Sect Leader, also passed away. She had lived to the age of 127, without illness or disaster, a truly fulfilling life.

These successive changes may have left Kang Dabao somewhat exhausted, so he did not preside over the event, leaving He Chang to handle everything alone. In terms of lineage, He Wanying is a disciple of Uncle Li.

Now, the most prestigious member of the Chongming Sect is Kang Rongquan, a junior. Even though his injuries have not yet healed, he still cannot bear to be idle and is busy with his junior brother He Chang, taking care of all sorts of things.

The funeral is now over.

All cultivators of Chongming should put aside their grief and prepare to take on their respective duties and manage affairs in all directions.

First, Kang Lingyi, along with her two half-brothers Kang Changzhao and Kang Changyan, had already received their departure date. They were to follow Fei Nanying's wife, Han Ningyue, and travel with the Fei family's entourage to Yingzhou to become disciples of Fei Wanqing.

Both Master Kang and his wife had exchanged letters with Fei Wanqing about this matter, and they were quite at ease with their cousin.

Kang Changyi did not stay long, as the battle in Dingzhou was still fierce. The fact that he was able to return from the front lines was already a great favor from his teacher, Chu Yanran.

He hadn't expected that returning would require wearing the headdress twice, and seeing that he was about to miss his deadline, he hurriedly bid farewell to his parents and rode his Green Thunder Red Ox back to the battlefield.

Those superior talismans are not easy to find; at least, even the storage bag that Headmaster Kang retrieved this time did not contain one. Fei Shuhe inquired for many days but found nothing. Therefore, her worries were much greater than before.

With all his fellow disciples returning, Kang Dabao also sorted out all the matters concerning those left behind in Xuanwei City.

Now that Xiaohuan Mountain and Pingrong County are completely destroyed, and more than 400 families in Hanya Mountain have become vagrants, Xuanwei City has become a very important source of revenue for Chongming Sect, almost the foundation of the sect, so it cannot be taken lightly.

Besides Xuanwei City, there is also Hancheng, which was also guarded by an eighth-generation disciple appointed by Master Kang.

Jin Shilun's first disciple, Tang Jiu, and eldest son, Jin Tanglu, served as his chief and assistant, respectively.

Compared to Xuanwei City, which flourished due to the long stay of Kuang Liuting, Hancheng, which was once comparable to it, has fallen into ruin.

Therefore, Kang Dabao did not choose many forces to assist him. Apart from the Hanshan Sect, which had always been close to Chongming Sect, the only other option was the Yunwei Zheng family, whose False Dan Ancestor Zheng Taibai had just died from his injuries. They could go there to recuperate for a while.

After everything was settled, the council chamber fell silent again, except for occasional light coughs from Jiang Qing due to his chest injury, after which there was no further sound.

At this juncture, Yuan Jin spoke up again. He glanced at the somewhat numb expression on the face of Sect Leader Kang, stood up, and said:
"Senior brother, Senior Gu Hongzi came looking for me the day before yesterday."

"Oh, right. That senior came to Xuanwei City last time, telling me he came specifically to find you, to repay the favor he received before. I pointed him to Yangming Mountain, but then the matter of the late-blooming cherry blossoms came up, making him make a wasted trip."

Kang Dabao sighed softly and then said, "It is impolite of us to have such a distinguished guest at our door while we are holding a funeral. Second brother, please apologize to our elders and don't cause them any offense."

“Junior brother understands,” Yuan Jin nodded for a moment, then continued:

"Senior Gu Hongzi said that he was injured in the battle and lost most of his wealth. Now he has nothing left and doesn't know how to repay the life-saving grace. So he thought of holding three Daoist gatherings for my Chongming disciples in Xuanwei City as a way to make up for it."

"Oh?" Master Kang's eyes lit up. Back then, when he went to Shanbei Dao to listen to Gu Hongzi preach, even as a Golden Core cultivator, he still had to ask his family for favors and a sum of money.

However, after listening to his words, one could only feel that this old cultivator was truly capable. His insights were penetrating and incisive, and he possessed some unique perspectives on cultivation.

At that time, not only did the practitioners in the arena fully grasp the true meaning, but even those who were not genuine cultivators but were actually practicing were completely captivated.

You should know that this is a valuable skill. High-ranking families have no shortage of Golden Core cultivators, but those who know how to cultivate and those who know how to teach are two different things.

Gu Hongzi was indeed skilled; even Fei Nanying, after hearing Gu Hongzi preach, was intrigued. So much so that even a prominent family like the Fei family of Yingzhou was interested and spent a large sum of money to hire him as their tutor.

The fact that a rogue cultivator could be so highly regarded by a wealthy family demonstrates the high level of Gu Hongzi's attainments in this field.

Moreover, compared to Kang Dabao's Spring and Autumn Annals, which, though strange, could only benefit his close disciples, Gu Hongzi's sermons were a good opportunity for most of the Chongming Sect's disciples.

Therefore, if Gu Hongzi can demonstrate 80% of the skill he used in his lecture at Wanbao Trading Company last time, then Master Kang will be satisfied.

“This is excellent. Second brother, please convey my gratitude to Senior Gu Hongzi. After consulting with the senior, take advantage of the presence of all the disciples and quickly set a convenient date.”

"Yes, junior brother understands."

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Three days later, the Taoist gathering will begin.

Logically speaking, the Temple of Heaven, where Kuang Liuting was conferred his title in the city, should have been a superior place for preaching. However, there was imperial essence left there, and it would be disrespectful to use it. Headmaster Kang did not dare to take the risk of overstepping his bounds, so he had to spend money elsewhere.

But one could see the Nine-Turn Spirit Gathering Array hovering and circulating in the air in the training ground of Xuanwei City, with eighty-one high-grade spirit jades guiding the six spiritual veins in the city to circulate, condensing into a sky full of shimmering white spiritual mist;
A hundred jade tables with cloud patterns are arranged like a star array, and the lotus lamps burning with incense that calms the mind have smoke swirling into the shape of a blue phoenix.

Now, in the midst of a great war, Chongmingzong has only temporarily found peace. The area under the jurisdiction of the Duke of Qin's mansion remains desolate and scarred, with all kinds of supplies in short supply.

These superficial gestures certainly cost a lot of spirit stones, but Sect Leader Kang was still willing to spend them. He clearly did not intend to settle the matter with Gu Hongzi with money and goods, but rather wanted to form some goodwill with this well-behaved rogue cultivator at the Golden Core stage.

The disciples of Chongming and the invited members of the Fei family sat in order of rank. Although the various families of Chongming Alliance could not compare with the powerful eight families in the capital, they were still ranked higher.

The eight families of the capital region, led by the Yun Gu Zhang family, did not show any resentment. After all, it was a rare opportunity for a Golden Core cultivator to preach, so they all held their breath and waited calmly for Gu Hongzi to take the stage.

Suddenly, a clear breeze arose from the southeast, and the lone swan came riding on the clouds.

The old Taoist priest, dressed in a blue robe, exuded the fragrance of snow plum blossoms. The jade slip in his hand shimmered with moonlight. He lightly touched the high platform with his toes, and the spiritual mist dispersed three feet away.

Although Gu Hongzi was a rogue cultivator, he made a living by preaching, and his appearance was no less impressive than that of an ordinary elder.

The cultivators below, seeing only his otherworldly demeanor, felt even more admiration for him. But after Gu Hongzi ascended the altar, his gaze swept over Yuan Jin, who was seated in a row, and he bowed respectfully without concealment, his voice carrying spiritual power, like a clear spring gurgling over stones:

"In the past, when the Shanbei Road suffered a calamity, we were fortunate to have Fellow Daoist Yuan protect us with his life. Now, I offer these three volumes of Daoist teachings as a token of my gratitude, hoping they may help you all overcome the obstacles in your spiritual practice."

After he finished speaking, and as the cultivators below the altar returned their greetings and expressed their gratitude, the jade slip in Gu Hongzi's hand immediately floated into the air, its spiritual light suddenly intensifying, illuminating the entire area.

Gu Hongzi moved his fingertips, and the first ray of spiritual light transformed into seal script: "Those who establish their foundation are like those who build a magnificent palace, requiring spiritual power as their foundation and their mind and nature as their beams. Do not be greedy for speed and damage your roots, nor be afraid of slowness and abandon your efforts. Observe the spiritual breath of heaven and earth, and integrate it with your own dantian, only then can you achieve stability as solid as a mountain." As the words fell, the spiritual light entered the brows of all the disciples. Some closed their eyes and concentrated, while others showed a look of sudden realization. All of them felt the spiritual power flowing more smoothly in their dantian.

With another flick of his fingertip, a second ray of spiritual light condensed into a phantom image: the phantom cultivator, impatient for quick results, forcefully pushed his spiritual energy, causing his meridians to rupture and his spiritual sea to churn. "This is a taboo in the circulation of spiritual energy,"

Gu Hongzi's voice was deep and resonant, "You should know that spiritual energy is like flowing water; if blocked, it will collapse, and if unblocked, it will flow smoothly. You must follow the flow of the meridians and breathe in and out with your breath. If you encounter stagnation, you can draw spiritual mist to moisten it, but do not use brute force to force it out."

As the illusory image dissipated, the disciples below the stage secretly examined themselves and corrected their own methods.

Finally, the jade simplified into a third ray of spiritual light, scattering into countless points of light across the sky: "The Dao has no fixed method; only the fittest can attain it. You may tame beasts, cultivate swords, or refine talismans. Though your paths differ, your desire to seek the Dao is the same. When you encounter confusion, ask questions; when you face difficulties, reflect. Only then can you climb step by step and approach the realm of immortality."

Where the light fell, a disciple stood up and asked about the method to overcome the bottleneck in Foundation Establishment. Gu Hongzi answered with spiritual energy.

Another disciple asked about the origins of beast taming and cultivation. Gu Hongzi explained it by quoting "All things have spirits, and they help and support each other," which was concise and to the point.

After about ten questions and answers, the old cultivator then explained sixteen general tips for circulating qi and thirty-two ingenious methods for breaking through barriers.

However, these methods, which Gu Hongzi considered worthless, had a threshold; it was difficult for those who were not wise to fully comprehend them. But as long as one listened attentively, one could benefit to some extent.

The sermon concluded as the sun rose higher in the sky.

The spiritual light on the jade slip in his hand faded, and Gu Hongzi descended on a cloud. The disciples all stood up and bowed, their faces filled with gratitude, and they all said in unison, "Thank you, senior, for imparting your teachings."

Kang Dabao and Yuan Jin stepped forward, cupped their hands and said, "What you said, senior, is of great wisdom, and all of you in the Chongming clan have benefited greatly."

Although the lecture was intended for the lower-level disciples, even Headmaster Kang felt he benefited somewhat. As for the disciples listening to the lecture below the altar, it was an incredible blessing.

To be honest, inviting famous teachers to give lectures has always been a common practice among high-ranking and wealthy families. It is only because the Chongming sect's revival was too short-lived that it lacked a certain grandeur.

Moreover, Gu Hongzi never touched upon controversial points when expounding the Dharma, only speaking straightforward truths. Experts might find it slightly lacking in subtlety and individuality, but for disciples from small and humble families in the three southwestern regions, it was just right.

Master Kang thought to himself that he would need to do more of these kinds of things in the future, even if it cost some resources, it would be worth it.

Gu Hongzi smiled and replied, "Fellow Daoist Yuan's previous assistance deserves a generous repayment. However, this old man has no special skills, so I can only offer a small token of my gratitude today." The old cultivator's words were sincere and not merely polite. When his gaze turned to Kang Dabao, he praised him again:

"This city was once the residence of the Duke, and its Daoist aura flows endlessly. It will surely become a great place for cultivation in the future. Headmaster Kang is very grateful for this letter. I wonder how bright his future will be."

"I am utterly incompetent, and Chongmingzong's current prosperity is all thanks to the Duke's kindness and care."

In front of outsiders, Sect Leader Kang would never utter a single bad word about the David Immortal Dynasty. Gu Hongzi also had no intention of being overly polite with the former, simply stating:
"Today's lecture can be considered a success. Fellow Daoist Yuan told me that there are still many disciples of your sect at Yangming Mountain in Xianzhou. In that case, I should not linger any longer. Once Fellow Daoist Yuan has finished his business here, I will return to Xianzhou with him."

Kang Dabao naturally advised, "How can we let you get so tired? Please rest for a while."

"I am grateful for Master Kang's kindness, but I have debts etched on my back and my heart is not at peace. This has been the case for hundreds of years."

Upon hearing Gu Hongzi's words, Kang Dabao stopped trying to persuade him and simply instructed Yuan Jin, who was standing to the side, to take good care of the former.

At the same time, he was also thinking about whether to let the second brother stay a little longer, so that disciples like Duan Anle could ask Gu Hongzi for some teachings alone.

The idea had barely formed in his mind before he acted on it. Gu Hongzi hadn't expected Yuan Jin to stay in Xuanwei City for half a year, but he couldn't go back on his word. Fortunately, while he was recuperating in the city, Chongmingzong not only provided him with spiritual veins but also gifted him elixirs.

With such generous treatment, prominent figures in the sect, such as Duan Anle and Kang Rongquan, came to respectfully seek guidance from the sect leader, Kang. Gu Hongzi was not stingy in offering them some pointers.

As the sect leader, Kang Dabao naturally wouldn't place all his hopes for teaching and training his disciples on outsiders.

For the past few months, he has continued to keep the Spring and Autumn Annals with him at all times. Whenever a disciple has received instruction from Gu Hongzi, he will summon him to his side and use the treasure of teachings to point out the way forward, so that all disciples can corroborate each other's words and avoid being misled by one side's words.

Three months passed in this way, and the disciples made remarkable progress.

Kang Dabao and Gu Hongzi prepared generous gifts, which the latter accepted without hesitation.

This reassured Master Kang, as he was a pragmatic and down-to-earth person. The latter's so-called "repayment of life-saving grace" was not reliable. If the money and goods were to be exchanged, spirit stones and spirit treasures would be more practical.

Not long after Gu Hongzi and Yuan Jin left, the capable disciples in the sect also went their separate ways, and Jiang Qing's injuries also improved considerably.

That day, Master Jiang was in Xuanwei City listening to Kang Dabao and Ye Zhengwen discussing future plans, which included many trivial matters such as demarcating settlements and developing industries.

Shortly after hearing this, Jiang Qing's brows furrowed slightly. The Grand Master Kang, always meticulous, noticed this and gestured for Ye Zhengwen to stop the discussion, then spoke up:
"Third brother, I have something to tell you."

Jiang Qing then regained his composure and said directly, "Just give the order, Senior Brother."

"Hmm," Kang Dabao nodded and said softly, "You are not far from the Core Formation stage. In that case, you should not concern yourself with these trivial matters in the sect."

But then, Master Jiang's brows immediately relaxed, and he was about to agree when he heard Headmaster Kang speak again:
"I will go and speak with the elders of the Fei family to ask you to stay at the Fei family residence so that you can cultivate in peace. Ancestor Tianqin has a great fondness for you and is very generous. He wants you to sincerely ask for his guidance. He might even guide you to perfect your alchemical theory."

Seeing the hesitation in Jiang Qing's eyes, Kang Dabao comforted him, "I already owe the Fei family countless favors, so you don't need to worry about it."

Jiang Qing was still hesitant when he spoke up: "The matter within the sect,"

Upon hearing this, even Ye Zhengwen, who was standing between the two, laughed and said, "You sword immortal, where is your mind? With the sect leader and I managing things within the sect, Qing-ge'er, you can rest assured."

Kang Dabao chimed in, "That's right. And right now, there's nothing more crucial than our Chongming Sect producing another Golden Core cultivator. There's no need to worry about these things!"

Jiang Qing was relieved and bowed to his two senior brothers in gratitude.

After the three finished their discussion, Master Kang opened the door and heard the Fei family's envoy coming over to discuss some travel arrangements.

Without a second thought, Kang Dabao was about to send someone to fetch Kang Lingyi and her two siblings when the disciple who came to report said, "Sect Leader, the person who has arrived is Madam Yan; it seems she also wishes to come along."

"Ok?"

The previously calm Sect Leader Kang was suddenly taken aback, but he quickly understood the reason. However, he didn't know whether to be surprised or happy.
(End of this chapter)