Catching Monsters

Chapter 688 Stopping That Evil Thing
"Really?" Xu Xiaogang smiled, casually bought a folding fan, and continued his walk with his two servants. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the rouge shop he had visited a few days ago.

Inside the rouge shop, a beautiful young woman was sitting behind the counter, head down, diligently keeping accounts.

For Dongfang Yao, opening a shop meant relearning many things. After all, before, she only needed to beg with Uncle Tian, ​​but now that she actually opened a shop, many things were quite complicated for her.

"What's wrong, Your Highness?" A servant standing nearby saw Xu Xiaogang stop and seemed to remember something. He whispered, "Your Highness, this young lady is named Dongfang Yao. She has only recently arrived in the capital and is indeed very beautiful. I heard that because of her beauty, many young ladies and wives who buy rouge are unwilling to buy from this shop."

Hearing this, Xu Xiaogang turned around and glared at the servants, scolding them, "What nonsense are you thinking? Where did you develop such bad habits? I only helped this girl once last time, and you two have secretly investigated everything about her?"

Am I the kind of spoiled brat?

The servant looked aggrieved and hurriedly explained, "My lord, I didn't secretly inquire behind your back."

"Then how do you know?"

"This, this is a shop belonging to our Duke's Mansion. This shop was given to Miss Dongfang by the eldest young lady."

"Before the opening, many servants from our household came to help out quite a bit, and that's how we found out..."

Xu Xiaogang was stunned for a moment: "Is this our own shop? I don't remember..."

Servant: "Our Duke's mansion has so many properties, it's normal that the Duke can't remember them all..."

During the conversation, Dongfang Yao heard the voices and looked outside. After thinking for a moment, she walked out and said with a smile, "Young Master helped me last time, otherwise I really wouldn't know what to do."

"You're too kind, Miss Dongfang."

"Young master, please come in and have a cup of tea." Dongfang Yao extended a rather warm invitation. Xu Xiaogang had helped her last time and left in a hurry, leaving her no time to thank him.

With nothing else to do, Xu Xiaogang nodded, opened his folding fan, and went into the shop.

"This tea was a gift from someone, and I can't really tell if it's good or bad." Dongfang Yao smiled, then asked, "Thank you for your help when those people came to cause trouble that day."

"It was nothing," Xu Xiaogang quickly waved his hand, and the two chatted casually for a while.

Out of curiosity, Xu Xiaogang also asked why Xu Suwen would rent the shop to Dongfang Yao.

Dongfang Yao told her the truth.

"You were traveling around in other places before, wandering the world?" Xu Xiaogang asked, somewhat surprised.

Dongfang Yao smiled and said, "What do you mean by 'wandering the world'? When you're younger, you beg for food and then steal some things to make a living."

Dongfang Yao didn't shy away from this at all. Under those circumstances, it was already extremely difficult for her, Tian San, and now Li Chengdao to survive.

The two chatted quite happily, mainly because Xu Xiaogang was very interested in Dongfang Yao's past experiences in the martial arts world.

……

As dusk fell, Jiang Yun returned home and was about to have dinner when Qin Shujian unexpectedly arrived from the Sanqing Temple.

Jiang Yun invited him into the living room to have dinner together. Looking at the baggage Qin Shujian was carrying, she smiled and asked, "What, are you going to leave the capital to continue your cultivation?"

"Yes." Qin Shujian nodded emphatically. After Jiang Yun sat down, he slowly said, "Sit down."

Xu Suwen, who was sitting at the table, hurriedly asked the servants to add another bowl and chopsticks.

Jiang Yun looked at Qin Shujian with curiosity and said, "Where are you planning to go this time? I'm very curious about why your cultivation level has improved so quickly."

"What method did Senior Qu secretly pass on to you?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Shujian remained silent for a long time before lifting his sleeve. His arms, which were covered by his clothes, were covered with large and small, healed wounds and scars.

“It’s not just my arms, I have many more injuries on my body.” Qin Shujian said in a deep voice, “After Master Qu taught me swordsmanship, he only gave me one requirement when I traveled outside: to constantly challenge masters and fight with them.”

"Master Qu said that if one only practices swordsmanship in the courtyard, it is no different from fancy moves. No matter how beautiful the swordsmanship is, it is useless."

"Truly powerful swordsmanship must be honed through repeated battles."

"During this period, I have traveled all over the six northern provinces and challenged twenty-four sword masters of the same level."

"For now, we have no defeats."

Jiang Yun's expression shifted slightly, and he asked, "You didn't encounter any trouble, did you?"

"There are some, but my identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard means I won't be targeted for retaliation."

As the saying goes, swords have no eyes. Even if it's not a life-or-death struggle, constantly seeking out masters to duel will inevitably result in casualties.

Qin Shujian is currently at the third-grade cultivation level, which is not low, but there are still people in the martial arts world who can deal with him.

But many people know that this guy is a disciple of Jiang Yun, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

I can only give up.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Yun frowned slightly. This method of cultivation was certainly different from the direction advocated by Taoism.

But Jiang Yun also understood that every path in cultivation has its own method.

Since he had agreed to let Qin Shujian embark on the path of swordsmanship, he could not say much at this moment. Instead, he said, "Your childhood sweetheart, Zhao Qin, is still waiting for you."

“She comes from a well-off family. If you’re not interested, then tell her not to wait any longer.”

"If you still have the will, you should at least go and see her. Whether it's a promise or something else, you should at least give the girl some news."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shujian nodded emphatically: "Yes, Master, I understand."

"Also, Senior Qu is safe."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shujian finally smiled.

Jiang Yun looked at Qin Shujian with a serious expression and said, "When traveling, always remember to be humble and cautious."

"Don't act recklessly just because you have good swordsmanship."

"If you have enough strength, you can certainly act recklessly, but only if you have sufficient strength."

Jiang Yun looked at the scars on his arm and reminded him in a deep voice.

After saying this, Jiang Yun suddenly frowned slightly.

"What's wrong?" Xu Suwen asked from the side, noticing Jiang Yun's frown.

"I think I'm about to break through." Sweat beaded on Jiang Yun's forehead. Then, he suddenly remembered Liu Boqing's reminder and said in a deep voice, "Shujian, go and inform Mr. Liu at the Yunluo Inn in the outer city immediately."

"Suwen, you and Qiaoqiao should return to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion immediately."

"Have Uncle Yun inform Dong Qiaofeng to lead his Imperial Guards over and listen to Mr. Liu."

Jiang Yun was covered in sweat and quickly sat down cross-legged.

At the dinner table, Jiang Qiaoqiao's eyes showed worry. "Quick, listen to your master." Although Xu Suwen didn't know what was going on, she still said to Qin Shujian, "Go and inform Mr. Liu."

Soon, the people of the Jiang family sprang into action, and Qin Shujian completely ignored the rule that riding horses was not allowed in the inner city, riding a fast horse and rushing towards the outer city.

Before long, hundreds of skilled members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, dressed in flying fish robes, quickly arrived.

Liu Boqing was also pulled onto a horse by Qin Shujian, and they galloped over.

Upon arriving at the Jiang residence, Dong Qiaofeng and his men were already waiting outside the living room.

"Lord Jiang is breaking through to a higher realm. We must protect him and no one can afford to be careless," Dong Qiaofeng shouted.

Soon, Qin Shujian and Liu Boqing arrived.

Liu Boqing was getting on in years, and the journey on horseback was bumpy. With Qin Shujian's help, he finally arrived outside the living room. He glanced at the scene inside and said, "Lord Dong, the blade is reversed; it should be facing inwards towards the living room."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Dong Qiaofeng was taken aback: "Is only Lord Jiang inside?"

Liu Boqing thought for a moment and knew that it was impossible to explain in a short time, so he could only say: "Later, an evil spirit will escape from Lord Jiang's body. If that evil spirit escapes, there will be endless troubles."

Upon hearing this, Dong Qiaofeng saw Jiang Yun inside, who was covered in sweat, and immediately waved his hand, saying, "Quick, be careful of evil spirits."

The Imperial Guards who had been protecting the living room all turned their blades around and looked at the living room.

Qin Shujian asked in a low voice, "Mr. Liu, what exactly is this?"

"Qin Shujian, your swordsmanship is quite impressive." Liu Boqing patted Qin Shujian and said, "That evil spirit must be eliminated."

"That is the ultimate embodiment of your master's Yin, his evil side."

"Once this ultimate Yin is formed, its primary mission will be to kill the original owner."

"Understood." Qin Shujian nodded emphatically.

Seeing the situation before him, Liu Boqing breathed a sigh of relief.

The ultimate Yin has just been born and is extremely weak, not even as strong as ordinary evil creatures. It is not difficult to eliminate it.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yun was sitting cross-legged inside, comprehending the Great Dao.

Road.

It is the lifelong pursuit of those who cultivate themselves, but what exactly is the Tao?

Lao Tzu believed that the Tao is the origin of the universe and the fundamental principle for governing the country and cultivating oneself.

Zhuangzi believed that the Dao is an omnipresent and universal existence and the ultimate state of spiritual freedom.

Liezi believed that the Dao is the practice of emptiness, stillness, and non-action in life, and the wisdom of living in accordance with nature.

Everyone has their own understanding and perception of the Tao.

But everyone agrees that the Tao is the foundation of the universe, the nature of nature, and the original heart that people should return to.

At this moment, deep in his heart, Jiang Yun faced a choice: what exactly is the Dao?
Jiang Yun had naturally read and understood the works of Taoist sages countless times.

If you follow the path of those who came before you, the early stages will be much easier, and you'll make good progress in your early training.

The higher one's cultivation level, the more one needs to have one's own understanding and insight into the Dao in order to advance further.

At this moment, Jiang Yun's mind was filled with the words of the Taoist sages.

However, some of these things, if forced into today's world, may not necessarily be applicable.

Jiang Yun took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and slowly said, "The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all things."

"All things are born from the Tao, and will eventually return to the Tao."

"My Way, my Way, my Way."

Suddenly, Jiang Yun slowly opened his eyes, and an unusual light shone from his pupils.

“My way is different from that of others. My way is to promote the glory of the Taoist school, so that all people may know the principles of the Taoist school, the virtues of the Taoist school, and the rules of the Taoist school. This is my great way.”

"My vision is that a hundred years from now, Taoist temples will stand tall, all people will be virtuous, morality will be the guiding principle, and doors will not be locked at night. People will take it upon themselves to follow the Tao, and the principles of the Great Tao of Heaven and Earth will be understood by all."

"This is my way."

In an instant, a ray of light emanated from Jiang Yun's body.

A breakthrough in an instant.

Achieve the highest level of Taoist immortality.

However, the instant after achieving the first-grade Daoist Immortal realm, Jiang Yun felt a strange power surging within his body.

It felt as if something was tearing at his soul and spirit.

It was as if something was trying to break out of his body.

Jiang Yun attempted to use magic to suppress it, but Liu Boqing, who was outside the living room, hurriedly shouted, "Do not suppress it!"

"Let it out!"

"Otherwise it will remain inside your body and continue to devour your sanity."

After hearing Liu Boqing's reminder, Jiang Yun hesitated for a moment, then looked at Liu Boqing, but finally decided to listen to him.

A strange pain struck Jiang Yun.

It wasn't the excruciating physical pain, but rather a tearing apart of the soul.

Finally, a tiny, black figure, about the size of a fist, slowly emerged from Jiang Yun's chest.

Jiang Yun looked down and saw that the little man looked exactly like him. The only difference was that he was now formed from a black power.

And it is very weak.

Is this what is meant by the ultimate Yin?
After this thought flashed through his mind, a strong sense of exhaustion overwhelmed Jiang Yun, and with a thud, he collapsed to the ground and fell into a deep sleep.

After emerging from the extreme of Yin, Jiang Yun quickly hid at the back of the living room.

"Quickly, stop that evil creature and kill it!" Dong Qiaofeng shouted.

(End of this chapter)