The world is like a prison, my body is holy

Chapter 168 Demons and Monsters
At the end of August, a large contingent from the General of Demon Slayer's Mansion arrived in Shouzhou by land.

Wang Wenshun traveled to the ancestral temple of the Shangqing School of Maoshan to perform the apprenticeship ceremony.

As early as the beginning of the training exercise around Huainan Road at the General of Demon Suppression's Mansion, Master Hunkun had already started preparing for Wang Wen's apprenticeship ceremony. By the time Wang Wen arrived at the Maoshan Ancestral Temple, all the Maoshan disciples and high-ranking masters from various branches scattered throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty had returned to the Maoshan Ancestral Temple.

To be honest, Wang Wen had been swindling people for almost a year by claiming to be a senior master of Maoshan, but this was his first time visiting the ancestral temple of Maoshan...

However, this is normal. The orthodox Xuanmen (Taoist sect) has always had a rigorous process for accepting disciples. As the saying goes, "Virtue carries the Tao, and the Dharma is passed on to those with affinity." A virtuous and highly skilled Taoist master not only has to consider the "affinity" between master and disciple when accepting disciples, but also has to examine the disciple's character. It is not uncommon in Xuanmen to observe for three to five years before finalizing the master-disciple relationship.

Of course, the reason why Wang Wen only came to acknowledge his ancestors now was because he was busy and lazy. If it weren't for the fact that the General's Mansion's training exercise around Huainan Road happened to pass by the Maoshan Ancestral Temple, this matter would have been delayed for who knows how long.

As for Wang Wen's character... is there any need to investigate further?
Master Hunkun couldn't be more satisfied with his junior brother!

This was by no means due to Hunkun Zhenren's utilitarianism, nor was it simply because Wang Wen had saved his life.

In his heart, however, he believed that his only junior brother truly possessed innate Daoist talent and was a genuine seed for cultivation!
What kind of person is Wang Wen?

Some saw his laziness, some saw his shamelessness, some saw his vindictiveness, and some saw his strong sense of justice...

As a centenarian whose cultivation was infinitely close to that of a Celestial Master, Hunkun Zhenren had seen all of Wang Wen's characteristics.

And wouldn't these characteristics, when combined, perfectly align with the essence of Taoist non-action?

The Tao is always inactive, yet nothing is left undone!

On the day Wang Wen arrived at the Maoshan ancestral temple, the Shangqing sect's mountain gates were wide open. From the generation of Hun down, all Shangqing disciples responded within ten miles of the mountain gates, addressing each other as Uncle-Master, Grand Uncle-Master, or Great-Grand Uncle-Master.

Wang Wen went up the mountain, bathed and fasted for three days, and then the Hunkun Zhenren put on his yellow robe and presided over Wang Wen's apprenticeship ceremony on behalf of his master. He personally put on the Zhuangzi turban and purple robe for Wang Wen, and bestowed upon Wang Wen the three treasures of Maoshan on behalf of his master: Maoshan jade pendant, Five Thunder Token, and peach wood magic sword...

After the apprenticeship ceremony, Wang Wen stayed in Maoshan for three days. Under the guidance of Master Hunkun, he met with the elders and disciples of each branch of the Maoshan Sect. This allowed him to become familiar with his own people, ensuring that he would never again encounter the awkward situation of his own people not recognizing each other when he traveled the martial world.

Three days later, Wang Wen returned to the general's mansion and led his troops back to Yangzhou.

This training exercise around Huainan Road by the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion covered a total distance of nearly 6,000 li by waterway and lasted for nearly six months. During the operation, they killed three demons and monsters of the Ghost King and Demon King level, hundreds of fierce ghosts and demons of the Great Demon level, and countless other lesser demons and monsters!

It can be said that they swept away all the demon caves and monster lairs that were blooming everywhere in Huainan Road, leaving very few survivors!

Moreover, beyond these hard data, the soft power of this action is even more extensive.

Before this, the reputation of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion was only known within the elite circles outside of Yangzhou.

After this operation, the reputation of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion became legendary throughout Huainan Province!
On a larger scale, in any village or town in Huainan Province with a population of over a thousand, there are bound to be stories about the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion. The common people have all heard that even those without power or influence can enter the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion...

On a smaller scale, officials of all ranks in Huainan Road had a direct understanding of Wang Wen, the Demon-Slaying General. They knew that he was ruthless and intolerant of injustice, and that anyone who got involved with him would suffer greatly, if not die. From then on, whenever they heard the name "Demon-Slaying General's Mansion," they would tremble with fear.

Such a formidable record came at a heavy price for the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion.

When the General's Mansion set off from Yangzhou in mid-March, including the more than one hundred high-ranking Taoist priests of the Imperial Academy, the entire army consisted of more than two thousand two hundred demon-suppressing guards.

Of the Demon Suppression Guards who ultimately returned to Yangzhou alive, including the wounded, there were fewer than 1,800. More than 400 Demon Suppression Guards went to report to the Underworld Camp!
This was all thanks to General Wang Wen, whose combat prowess was far superior, who took the brunt of the damage and held the line throughout...

September 14th, after the Double Ninth Festival.

The general's entourage returned to Yangzhou by waterway. The newly appointed Yangzhou prefect, Meng Xinghuai, personally led dozens of officials to the East Water Gate Wharf to welcome them, with Zhao Zhiling standing beside him.

……

"Your humble servant Meng Xinghuai has long admired General Wang's name and long yearned to meet him. Today, I am finally able to meet him, which is a great joy for me!"

As soon as Wang Wenfang disembarked, the newly appointed Yangzhou prefect Meng Xinghuai approached him with a broad smile, clasped his hands in greeting, and addressed him as "your humble servant," adopting an extremely low posture.

Before the fleet even arrived in Yangzhou, Wang Wen had already received advance notice that Meng Xinghuai would personally come to the dock to welcome them. Furthermore, through the information channels of the canal transport guild, Wang Wen had already gained some understanding of the newly appointed Yangzhou prefect, who had served in various places and risen from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a third-rank prefect.

Upon seeing this middle-aged civil official, dressed in a scarlet robe, with a dignified appearance and a three-inch mustache, Wang Wen did not show much expression. Instead, he pointed his fingers together like a sword and ran them across his eyes before taking a closer look.

Under the watchful eye of the judge, this newly appointed prefect of Yangzhou, who had served as a local official for many years and was said to have a good reputation, had not a single trace of merit or virtue on him.

On the contrary, Zhao Zhiling, who was standing to his left and behind, had a faint golden light on him, as if the morning sun was shining from behind him, outlining him with a golden edge.

very good!

His rude behavior caused the smiles on the faces of the Yangzhou officials who had greeted him to become somewhat stiff.

From his cold, hard gaze, Meng Xinghuai could tell that he might not have a good feeling about him, and in a panic, he immediately tried to laugh it off to ease the awkward atmosphere.

But Wang Wen had already spoken first, chuckling lightly to Zhao Zhiling, "Lord Zhao, who's this idiot?"

Zhao Zhiling was taken aback for a moment, then a slight smile appeared in his eyes. However, he quickly hid the smile in his heart and turned to Wang Wen to introduce him: "Lord Wang has been fighting in the north and south for a long time. Please allow me to introduce you. This is our newly appointed prefect of Yangzhou, Meng Xinghuai, Lord Meng!"

He solemnly clasped his hands in a salute to Meng Xinghuai, as if he greatly admired him.

Meng Xinghuai, who was trying hard to maintain a smile and appearance, was already flushed...

He can still maintain a smile and appearance; his skin is undeniably thick.

But no matter how thick-skinned you are, how can you withstand the real barbs of foul language?

Sure enough, many of the Yangzhou officials behind him were secretly laughing.

"Oh, the newly appointed prefect of Yangzhou..."

Wang Wenzuo suddenly realized something, then grasped Meng Xinghuai's hand with one hand and patted his shoulder with the other, saying earnestly, "Lord Meng, the position of prefect of Yangzhou is not easy to be taken lightly. You must pay more attention to it and correct your attitude. Don't follow in Zhao Yiming's footsteps!"

In one sentence, it was like three big slaps to the face of Meng Xinghuai.

Meng Xinghuai's fair and delicate old face was already red with a hint of purple, but he still had to force a smile and say repeatedly, "Definitely, definitely."

"Pfft."

I don't know who had a low threshold for laughter, but they couldn't help but laugh out loud.

For a time, the docks were filled with officials whose shoulders were trembling violently.

Wang Wen slowly scanned the local Yangzhou officials, and said with a gentle smile, "Gentlemen, is it really that funny?"

His divine eye had not yet faded, and looking around, among the dozens of middle-aged and old monks, those with golden light of merit on their bodies were fewer than those without hair on their lips.

This makes Zhao Zhiling appear as pure as a courtesan who sells her art but not her body...

Upon hearing this, the Yangzhou officials immediately stopped trembling, their slightly distorted faces stiffened, and they lowered their heads with awkward smiles, not daring to look him in the eye. Wang Wen's smile vanished completely.

He released Meng Xinghuai's hand, brushed him aside like dust, and then expressionlessly surveyed the middle-aged and old men, sighing softly, "Outside, I see demons and monsters, but at home, I see evil spirits and monsters. You guys really know how to give me trouble!"

Now, the officials didn't even dare to sneer anymore, fearing that their sneers would be seen as a provocation by Wang Wen.

They had all heard that the prefectural magistrate of Haozhou was beaten to death in the street by Wang Wen, like a big dog...

What's even more chilling is that Wang Wen actually received a reward from the capital for beating a prefect to death in the street!

Despite the lingering heat of late summer, the group of officials standing on the dock felt as if they were in a frozen wasteland, their bodies shivering with cold!

Zhao Zhiling, standing to the right of Wang Wen, saw this situation and wanted to smooth things over, giving his colleagues a way out.

He mustered his courage and opened his mouth several times, but couldn't utter a single word. He could only sigh inwardly, 'This fellow's imposing manner is growing stronger and stronger!'

Since Wang Wen disembarked, he hasn't uttered a single harsh word, yet he has already surpassed the desperate shouts of countless people.

Finally, Xu Wu handed over the reins of Hei Erniu, breaking the awkward silence at the dock: "General, the time has come!"

Wang Wen took the reins and straddled the kneeling, kneeling Black Ox.

Black Ox slowly got up, carrying him on its back, snorted, and spewed out two plumes of thick smoke that sparked everywhere.

Wang Wen held the reins in one hand and took the stack of paper money handed to him by Xu Wu in the other, then tossed it into the air with a flick of his wrist: "O soul, return!"

"The soul is back!"

All the Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion cried out in unison, raising one black coffin after another.

Upon seeing this, the group of Yangzhou officials who had blocked Wang Wen's path hurriedly dispersed, watching as one heavy black coffin after another slowly made its way into the city in a long line.

The elders of Yangzhou who came to welcome them from inside and outside the city gates put down their red and green decorations for celebration upon seeing this scene. Their joyful smiles quickly disappeared, and their eyes were filled with pity as they looked at the rows of black coffins.

These are all soldiers from Yangzhou!
Low sobs gradually rose from the crowd.

After an unknown amount of time, a high-pitched suona horn sound brought everyone back to their senses.

The musicians, who had been standing by the gongs and drums at a loss, heard the sound and silently followed the suona horn, playing a mournful tune.

The crowd followed the long line of black coffins, escorting them back to the general's mansion.

Wang Wen rode on the back of the black ox, walking at the very front, scattering paper money as he went.

He spotted Huang Xingde among the crowds on both sides.

Huang Xingde nodded to him, then looked at the endless line of black coffins and sighed repeatedly.

He also saw in the crowd the young monk, dressed in snow-white robes, whose legs he had ordered to be broken at the beginning of the year.

He was now wearing a patched-up, gray, patched-up soldier's rags, and his clean bald head was now covered with bluish-black stubble. He was no longer the spotless man he had been at the beginning of the year. But at this moment, he was sitting cross-legged on the side of the street, silently reciting scriptures with his hands clasped together. His body was radiating a golden light of merit that was far purer and more immaculate than the white monk's robe he had worn before.

……

Late at night, Wang Wen, reeking of alcohol, emerged from the military camp of the General's Mansion in the South City and rode his equally drunken Black Ox back to Qinghe Hall.

Huang Xingde was indeed still waiting for him in the lobby, with two large bowls on the table kept warm by inverting them.

"Are you still hungry?"

Seeing him stagger in, Huang Xingde pointed to the chair with a friendly smile and said...

Wang Wen nodded and stepped forward, sitting heavily in the chair. He lifted the large, overturned bowl in front of him, revealing a bowl of light, lard-based noodles with two eggs on top.

He looked up again at Huang Xingde's bowl across from him and saw that it also contained plain noodles in clear broth, without even an egg.

He pushed his own bowl of noodles over, picked up an egg and put it in Huang Xingde's bowl, then pulled his bowl back, grabbed his chopsticks, and scooped up a large mouthful of noodles and put it in his mouth...

"Suck it!"

Huang Xingde slurped up a mouthful of noodles and asked casually in a low voice, "I heard that you gave all the officials who came to greet you a hard time at the dock today?"

Wang Wen lowered his head and slurped up his noodles, casually letting out a "hmm" sound from his nose.

Huang Xingde, without changing his expression, slurped up a couple more mouthfuls of noodles before saying softly, "Why bother? They can't block your way now, why make enemies everywhere..."

Wang Wen thought for a moment, then looked at him and asked, "Are you unhappy?"

Huang Xingde thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "It's not that bad."

Wang Wen nodded decisively: "I'm happy!"

Huang Xingde couldn't help but laugh and said, "That works too!"

He wasn't some illiterate country bumpkin who would unreasonably demand that Wang Wen follow his way of doing things.

Moreover, he knew very well that if someone cultivated martial arts to the level his adopted son was at, ninety-nine percent of the people in the world would not outlive him...

A Grandmaster of the Primordial Era, living to the age of three!
So what to do in the future, what to do when we get old—these are common concerns of ordinary people, and they mean nothing to his adopted son.

The father and son continued slurping their noodles. After a while, Huang Xingde finally spoke again: "Two months ago, people from the main altar came..."

Wang Wen continued slurping his noodles, listening quietly to his story.

Huang Xingde: "They openly and secretly hope that we will persuade you to join the King of Qi."

Wang Wen picked at his ear: "What Wang?"

Huang Xingde: "The emperor's second son...the big boss behind the Grand Canal Gang."

"Hululu..."

Wang Wen gulped down the last bit of soup in the bowl, then slammed the large bowl down on the table with a "bang": "Get him out of here!"

Huang Xingde nodded: "We told him to get out right then and there."

(End of this chapter)