Embers of Sword

Chapter 565 Twenty-Four Hours (Part 11)

"Sir, here we are."

The moon was bright and the stars were few when a carriage stopped in front of the Taoist sect's main branch.

Sang Zheng took the initiative to open the curtain of the carriage.

Chen Jingxuan did not rush to get off the car. He sat on one side of the carriage and looked at the magnificent mountain gate not far away. The main sect's mountain steps were shrouded in thick fog, and only a few shadows could be vaguely seen...

The atmosphere at the Taoist temple was unusually solemn tonight.

He had been here a few years ago. At that time, although the mountain gate formation was very strong, it was not so airtight that it could not even let one's divine sense penetrate.

"...Sir, are there fights among the Taoist sects?"

Sang was somewhat confused.

How did he see that at the end of the thick fog, there were several disciples repairing the pillars of the mountain gate?

"Chucky!"

A cool breeze blew by, carrying countless bits of grass.

Chen Jingxuan reached out and grabbed something out of thin air.

The young imperial advisor lowered his eyes, silently sensing the vital energy and "heavenly secrets" contained within these blades of grass.

After a while.

He flicked his fingers, and the grass clippings turned to ashes.

"A fight did indeed take place here."

Chen Jingxuan said calmly, "Unfortunately, we arrived a step too late. This fight... is already over."

Sang Zheng was startled.

There are actually reckless fools in the world who dare to cause trouble in the Taoist sect!

Wait... what kind of talk is that?

Sang Zheng cursed himself inwardly, thinking that his visit to the Taoist sect this time would probably cause some trouble.

"Sir, may I accompany you inside?"

Sang Zheng tried to help Chen Jingxuan up, but was refused.

The frail and thin Imperial Advisor, against the strong wind, alighted from the carriage alone.

He looked at the huge gate in front of him.

"No need to send any more."

Chen Jingxuan chuckled softly and said, "Actually... I originally intended to come here alone."

After bidding farewell to Jiang Qihu at the gate of the Great Chu Imperial City, Chen Jingxuan prepared to travel alone to the Daoist sect.

However, Jiang Qihu insisted on having Sang Zheng escort him on his way...

Sang Zheng was also stubborn. After learning that Chen Jingxuan was leaving the capital, he disregarded everything and was willing to defy orders to activate the Void-Breaking Talisman, drive the carriage, and send him to the Daoist sect.

Chen Jingxuan couldn't refuse them, so he had no choice but to comply.

"gentlemen……"

Sang Zheng wanted to say something more.

He knew that the reason why the gentleman had left the capital to visit the Taoist sect must be for Miss Tang.

He also knew that Master Chongkan was short-tempered and stubborn, and almost impossible to persuade.

He knew all too well that while the Great Chu Imperial City appeared peaceful on the surface, the reality was quite different… As a Black Scale Guard, Sang Zheng had already sensed the surging undercurrents that were about to engulf him. At this crucial moment, with the campaign to vanquish demons in the south, it was hardly a wise move for him to visit the Daoist sect.

He knew that what he knew was nothing.

The gentleman knew everything, but he still chose to come.

After settling down his thoughts, Sang Zheng silently suppressed the words in his heart.

He stood alone before the steps of the Taoist temple, watching Chen Jingxuan step into the thick fog of the Taoist temple.

……

……

"Who goes there? Our Daoist formation has been damaged tonight, so we cannot receive guests!"

A thick fog blanketed the area, obscuring the view of those below the mountain as well as those on the mountain.

As Chen Jingxuan stepped onto the mountain steps, the faint sound of his footsteps echoed outwards.

The young Taoist priest in charge of repairing the stone pillars at the mountain gate instinctively rebuked him.

However, the next moment, the young Taoist priest shut his mouth.

It wasn't because they recognized the visitor's identity that they were cautious in their speech.

Rather, it was because a strand of gold thread was seeping out from Chen Jingxuan's sleeve—

The golden thread, like a firefly, coiled around the little Taoist's lips, sealing them shut. "Mmm!"

A golden line flashed out, instantly sealing off the area.

The young Taoist priests who were banging and tapping in front of the mountain pillar could only stare wide-eyed as a figure in a green robe emerged from the thick fog and came to stand before them.

"As expected, you are a fellow Daoist from Duobaozhai."

Chen Jingxuan, with his hands behind his back, said gently, "Are you repairing the stone pillars of the mountain gate?"

The main formation of the Daoist sect was personally forged by Xiaoyaozi and has remained undamaged for hundreds of years.

Destroying these rocks... is no easy task.

Most importantly, there were no signs of battle outside the main sect, which clearly indicates that the great battle that the Daoist sect had just fought broke out from within.

A battle within the Taoist sect has spread to the mountain gate.

The Great Battle of the Yang Gods?

Chen Jingxuan's gaze swept over them one by one. The young Taoist priests looked both surprised and angry, and of course they did not answer.

But Chen Jingxuan slightly raised his sleeve, as if he had personally appointed someone to respond.

The gold thread has come loose.

The young Taoist priest who had initially reprimanded the other man looked on in surprise and wiped his cheek. He realized he could speak now.

next moment.

He replied respectfully, almost without thinking, "Yes. This afternoon, the stone pillars at the mountain gate almost collapsed... The abbot repaired the grand formation, leaving some details for us to handle. Repairing these stones is extremely troublesome; I estimate it will take another three to five days to complete..."

The moment he opened his mouth, cold sweat broke out on the young Taoist's back.

He didn't want to respond at all!

what happened?

Not only did he reveal his secrets, but he also poured out his heart, saying more and more as he spoke, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

"All right."

Chen Jingxuan was too lazy to listen to irrelevant matters. He flicked his sleeves again and said softly, "Don't delay the young Taoist's important business. You can continue with your work."

The gold threads dissipated.

Chen Jingxuan stepped into the thick fog.

A moment later, the young Taoist priests looked at each other blankly, their expressions bewildered.

What just happened?
The fog thickened, and everything returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Jingxuan entered the Taoist sect.

Although it was late at night, the Taoist temple was quite lively.

Many streaks of light flashed across the sky.

Sure enough, the "tranquil scene" seen from outside the formation was all an illusion.

Due to the daytime battle, the seven sacred mountains were in disarray, and many young disciples were busy repairing the damaged formations around the main sect. Many of them passed over Chen Jingxuan, even brushing past him, as if they hadn't seen him at all…

Chen Jingxuan arrived alone at the foot of the Seven Zhai Mountains.

The moonlight shines down, and golden threads flow.

The golden light fell upon him like a magnificent robe, but once he put it on, he became an ethereal shadow.

"Mr. Chen...you've finally arrived."

A hoarse, slightly weary voice suddenly rang out.

"I have been waiting here for a long time on the orders of my master."

In the shadows of night, a candle slowly flickered to life.

The hunched-over Candle Taoist slowly emerged from the night, carrying a lantern in his hand.

Although he was a member of the Taoist sect, he stood in the center of the moonlight, just like Chen Jingxuan, unseen and unrecognized by anyone.

Two figures gazed at each other from afar.

"The Candle Taoist".

Chen Jingxuan smiled, raised an eyebrow and asked, "You seem to be injured. Are you alright?"

The Taoist priest's clothes were tattered and had holes in them.

"It's alright, you won't die."

The Candle Taoist sighed softly and bowed: "The Daoist sect has been involved in some farces during the day, which has made Mr. Chen laugh at us."

……

……

(PS: Sorry, I had to come back for a surprise attack. I was having a good time, but just now, a rove beetle flew into my eye... My eyelid hurts terribly. This is so unlucky. I can barely open my eyes now.)
(End of this chapter)