Minglong

Chapter 396 A Good Fortune Amidst Misfortune
As April approaches, a sacred fire is lit on Wuling Mountain.

Thousands of Taoist priests from the Divination School gathered inside the mountain gate to participate in the 'Golden Core Formation Ceremony' of Sect Leader Lü Yan, as well as the succession ceremony for the sect leader.

Regardless of time or place, entering the Five Realms is like a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate, a watershed between the foot of the mountain and the top. Therefore, whenever a cultivator enters this realm, fellow cultivators from all directions will come to celebrate.

However, as the spiritual energy of heaven and earth became scarce, there were fewer and fewer cultivators on the mountaintop, and this custom naturally disappeared. Monk Wuxin, Lu Wuzhen, and others, fearing that evil spirits and heretics would find out the true strength of the righteous path, almost never performed it.

Lu Yan's current display of ostentation seems a bit presumptuous and reckless, but he admits he has no choice.

While imprisoned beneath the Danyang Academy, Lü Yan had already grasped the opportunity to break through to a higher realm, but this was interrupted by Xu Tong and his nephews. Later, he went to Dragon Bone Beach to seize the opportunity, but he failed to acquire anything and didn't achieve any impressive feats. His greatest gain was:

Even if a celestial artifact were offered to you, you couldn't hold onto it...

He was attacked by evil forces and needed Xie Laomo to save him...

They lick the box and eat the leftovers really fast...

……

In summary, they were all cowards of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.

Lu Yan was furious, but there was nothing he could do. After returning, he successfully entered the fifth realm of immortality, 'Soul Integration,' and became qualified to succeed as sect leader. However, when the news got out, the cultivation world of Northern Zhou was in an uproar, the gist of which was:

You think you're qualified to be the sect leader?

No matter how bad Huang Songjia was, he was still defeated by Master Qixia. You can't even beat the henchmen of Shang Laomo's disciple. How dare you take over this job?

Knowing that he was taking over, Lü Yan went from being the "strongest fire mage" to the "weakest sect leader in the North and South," replacing Chen Chi of the Zhuji Sect in the martial arts world.

But since his senior brother, the sect leader, had an accident, he had to take over the position; otherwise, he couldn't very well ask Master Huang Lin to be the person in charge.

Therefore, he had no choice but to hold a grand event, flex his muscles in the cultivation world, and shut up those sect leaders and elders who were making sarcastic remarks.

This mighty old demon of the fifth realm, if I can't deal with Xie Jinhuan, can't I deal with you all?

As dusk fell, the various ceremonies had concluded, and the leaders of each sect were feasting on the mountain.

Lu Yan changed into a brand-new yellow and black Taoist robe and wore the lotus crown exclusive to the sect leader. He stood respectfully in the ancestral hall, listening attentively to the instructions.

Inside the Ancestral Hall are sculptures of past patriarchs. Before the incense table, an old Taoist priest holds the "Five Elements Seal," a sacred artifact of the Divination School, and solemnly admonishes:

"The master leads you through the door, but the cultivation is up to you. I have been in seclusion in recent years and have not inquired about my disciples' actions, which has led to the wrongful deaths of civilians. The blame lies with me, the master, for not disciplining them properly. But even if I had not been in seclusion, I would not have inquired about it."

"As the sect leader, I bear the responsibility for the sect's legacy and the well-being of all people. One wrong step could affect the survival of the people. I can only rely on myself and not others. If I expect my teachers to correct me from behind, who will correct me if I am wrong? Who will point out the mistakes of the Ye family?"
"This path of cultivation is currently being supported by us old folks, but sooner or later it will fall on your shoulders. After you take this seal, you will no longer be constrained by anyone in anything you do, but you will also no longer have any support."

"Just like in the Southern Dynasty, even if Lu Wuzhen made a hundred mistakes, Master Qixia would not blame him. But if Lu Wuzhen was not capable enough and died in the capital, then no matter what the reason, Master Qixia would choose another successor, and would not have any expectations even if he was saved."

"The reason why we removed Huang Songjia from his position as sect leader was not because he used evil methods to seek fame and fortune, but because Master Qixia was ruthless and he is already dead."

"Those who have made mistakes have the opportunity to repent and reform, but the dead are no longer qualified to shoulder the burden of righteousness. Whether killed by the righteous or the evil, if one puts oneself in a desperate situation, it means that one has acted without careful consideration and is not fit to shoulder great responsibilities..."

The old Taoist priest had snow-white hair and beard, making it impossible to tell his age. He had a straight back and a tall, imposing figure. His deep-set eyes were like those of a white-browed unicorn, exuding an aura of dominance that seemed to reign supreme atop a mountain.

However, a sense of melancholy and weariness still lingered between his brows, making him look like a wounded tiger disciplining a newly weaned cub.

Lu Yan had a fiery temper and was very arrogant. His Taoist cultivation was not low, but in front of the old Taoist, he was very obedient and docile, even showing some reverence for him as if he were a god.

After all, Huang Lin Zhenren was one of the oldest cultivators in the world, on par with Zi Yang Zhenren and the Living Buddha of the North. The only ones older than him were probably Yang Huaxian and the Martial Goddess whose age was unknown.

During the chaos of the witchcraft cult, almost all the elder practitioners of the Daoist path died for their beliefs. Although Master Huang Lin survived the calamity, he was so badly injured that he could not leave the mountain. He has spent the past hundred years in seclusion to recuperate.

Even now, although Master Huang Lin is still alive, he has no hope of reaching the seventh realm and has reached the end of his lifespan.

Lu Yan was not Huang Lin Zhenren's disciple, but his father, Lu Baoqing, had been Huang Lin Zhenren's sword-bearing attendant. Because of this relationship, he was sent to Wuling Mountain to learn fire magic. In his childhood, he was also taught by Huang Lin Zhenren, who was eager to cultivate a successor. Therefore, he always acted as Huang Lin Zhenren's teacher.

Upon hearing Huang Lin Zhenren's teachings, Lü Yan nodded respectfully:
“I understand that only those who can survive in dire straits are worthy of talking about shouldering the responsibility of continuing the lineage of the people; those who die on the way, even if they are as talented as Xie Jinhuan, are just useless trash.”

Master Huang Lin nodded slightly and handed the Five Elements Seal to Lü Yan:

"The North is not as good as the South. It has not produced any talents in the past hundred years, and the elders have passed away one after another. If I do not have this opportunity this time, you will be the only one to carry on the legacy of the Divination School."

"Whether it is a sect or the world, the rise and fall of a sect is not important. What is important is the continuation of your lineage. As long as a spark remains, even if the country is broken and evil forces prevail, order can be rebuilt sooner or later; but if the lineage is cut off, everything is lost."

Lu Yan received the Five Elements Seal, feeling no excitement at acquiring such a treasure, only a mountain-like weight pressing down on his shoulders. After thinking for a moment, he said:

“There has indeed been some movement at Beiming Lake, but demons like Yang Huaxian and Kongkong Daoren are nearing the end of their lives and will fight to the death. I'm afraid even young friend Xie wouldn't dare to get involved. Did your senior uncle consult the oracle before going there?”

Master Huang Lin was the leader of the Divination School, and his divination skills were not much worse than Yang Huaxian's; otherwise, he wouldn't have survived the chaos of the Witchcraft Cult. But at this moment, he slightly waved his hand:
"My lifespan is nearing its end. Even if things get worse, I will still die peacefully for the sake of the people and meet with my fellow Daoists at the Martyrs' Shrine before I die. Fortune telling is meaningless now."

"..."

After thinking about it for a moment, Lü Yan felt that it made sense. Huang Lin Zhenren had been the leader of the righteous path all his life. With one foot in the ground, he could spit out a saliva of evil before he died, which was more pleasant than dying an unknown old man in his cave. No matter how you look at it, it couldn't be a terrible omen.

But Master Huang Lin is the leader of the Divination Sect. If he were to die while plundering the treasure, not to mention the blow to the righteous path in the north, he would have no one above him and would have to act like a grandson in front of Xie Xiao'er from now on...

Therefore, after Huang Lin Zhenren finished his admonition and left, Lü Yan carefully considered the matter and took out a few copper coins to try to divine whether his journey to escort his elders to fulfill their filial duties would be auspicious or inauspicious.

He went along, and if something happened to Master Huang Lin, he would definitely not be any better off.

But if he really succeeds, then while Huang Lin Zhenren is slaying demons and monsters, he'll obviously be able to loot a few boxes as well...

Ding Ding Ding ~
As the copper coin landed, Lü Yan stroked his beard and examined it carefully:

"Hmm... this means there's good fortune amidst misfortune, right? Turning bad luck into good, it's a good omen..."

……
-
Meanwhile, in the North.

Jingle bell bell~
The sound of horse bells rang out in the spring breeze as a caravan of Northern Zhou merchants, laden with goods, moved through the streets. The buildings along the street were low and old, filled with local natives dressed in non-Han Chinese clothing, all speaking in broken Central Plains dialect:

"Authentic roasted lamb leg, friends from the South shouldn't miss it..." "How much are these spices?"

"This is a gift for Master Huo Yi, not for sale separately..."

……

Xie Jinhuan, dressed in a bamboo hat and overcoat, with a curved sword at his waist, resembled a Northern Zhou knight-errant traveling across the grasslands. He leaned alone against a roadside wall, observing the passing merchants and travelers. A banner hung above his head, which read:

Big Bowl Tavern

The name was unpretentious, but the tavern owner was a charming woman in her thirties, a true steppe woman with long legs and a big butt that looked like a vise from the North. She also had a low-cut dress that she had somehow gotten her hands on. The sight of her bending over to wipe the table was simply... oh my god...

Of course, Xie Jinhuan wasn't posing here to bring good fortune to the landlady despite her fierce appearance...

After staying in Luoyang for two days, Xie Jinhuan did not linger because there were still matters to be resolved in the north. He packed his things and set off again, speeding northward.

The people who came to snatch the Xuanwu God's gift from Beiming Lake were all peak-level old demons with one foot in the ground. Even the Valkyrie and Qixia Zhenren might not be able to escape unscathed. He couldn't possibly go to the front line. The main purpose of this trip was to get Shang Mingzhen to open his heart and, incidentally, to act as a scout for the White-haired Fairy.

Sister Guo is still using the guise of the Regent Empress Dowager. Her continued absence from court must indicate trouble. She returned to Yanjing halfway through her journey and will come back immediately after handling state affairs.

Xie Jinhuan continued flying with several wings, passing through the Zhenbei Protectorate and arriving in the territory of the Northern Royal Court.

The common saying "100,000 li from south to north" is certainly inaccurate, but the northern grasslands are indeed far from the Southern Dynasty. Some grassland people are even unaware that there is a Great Qian Dynasty to the south of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However, the Northern Kingdom is not a sparsely populated place.

According to the information Xie Jinhuan had been researching these past few days, the territory actually controlled by the Northern Kingdom was quite large, mainly composed of twelve large tribes. The area was rich in water and grass, suitable for grazing, and produced many warhorses. The people were known for their bravery and skill in battle.

Because of its considerable foundation, the Northern Kingdom has never been very peaceful. During the internal strife of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, it repeatedly provoked and attempted to invade the south. However, after Empress Dowager Guo came to power and stabilized the domestic affairs, the Northern Kingdom calmed down due to the disparity in national strength between the two countries.

The current King of the North has a rather tongue-twisting name, 'Holli Chaochitai,' and is the leader of the Holli clan of the Chishan tribe. He succeeded his father as the new king more than ten years ago and is highly respected by the Northern Zhou court, but his reputation on the grasslands is not good. The reason can be summarized in one sentence:
We will use the resources of the grasslands to win the favor of other nations...

The capital of Chaochitai is Wolf City of the Chishan tribe, the largest city on the grassland. Recently, it has been summoning the leaders of various tribes to hold the 'Chishan Alliance' in the spring.

Xie Jinhuan's trip was not for sightseeing; he first came to Huoli City in the Changhe Tribe to search for the White-Haired Fairy.

The Hori clan is the leader of the Long River tribe. Lord Huo Yi is considered a vassal king of the Northern Border Royal Court. Originally surnamed 'Hori', he studied at the Imperial Academy in Yanjing when he was young and was granted the surname Huo by the court. However, it is said that he is at odds with the 'pro-Zhou' Northern Border King. The White-Haired Fairy's current investigation may or may not be related to this.

Xie Jinhuan had only arrived at this small grassland town half an hour earlier. Because he had been traveling day and night without stopping, he asked Bing Tuozi, Sister Bu, Senior Sister Nai Gua, and the landlady to find a place to rest first, while he searched for a meeting place in the town according to the prior communication.

He knew a bit of the grassland dialect and was confident he could move around freely here. But when the locals heard him speaking with a Central Plains accent and asking where the "Big Bowl Tavern" was, they all gave him a knowing look and asked:

"Brother, are you from the South? Did you come here because you've heard so much about me?"

"His reputation has spread quite far..."

"Don't bother asking, that woman isn't selling..."

……

Xie Jinhuan was initially puzzled, but when he arrived at the tavern entrance, he understood why the locals were reacting so strangely—they mistook him for an out-of-town customer who had come to see the women!
Xie Jinhuan couldn't understand why the White-Haired Fairy, with her petite and delicate figure, would choose such a large truck, the size of a road roller, as a road sign. Anyway, it was quite awkward to be standing here.

Let's go in, lest we get into a fight over something that could lead to another emotional debt.

If I don't go in, I'll look like a shy young man who's too timid to flirt with girls...

Ye Hongshang leaned against the side, his damned competitive spirit causing him to grow a size larger, and he even dressed up as a little wine maid, teasingly saying:

"Go ahead and flirt if you want, we're not short of chopsticks at home."

Xie Jinhuan waved his hand: "No, she already has a child, so I have to be careful. Besides, what if Senior Qixia is testing me? If she comes over and finds that I can't pass the test, wouldn't that ruin my image?"

Ye Hongshang shook his head and said, "Xiao Qixia probably just saw the big boss and wanted you to see him too. When she traveled around the north and south, she would also follow and stare at pretty girls. It was quite interesting."

Xie Jinhuan thought the White-Haired Fairy was really capable of such a thing, but to maintain his image, he didn't cause any trouble and simply asked:
"Honey, you said you wanted to have my baby. What do you think about it? If you delay any longer, you won't be able to control things like how a mother's status rises because of her child..."

"Threatening your sister?"

"How could that be? I was just joking."

"Humph……"

The human and the ghost chatted idly for a long time, and then it gradually got dark. The white-haired fairy never showed herself, but three familiar figures walked out onto the street.

The leader of the three was a little girl with braided hair, dressed in a very wild manner. She carried a horse-slaying sword, had a gold medal hanging from her waist, and was munching on an apple she had taken from somewhere. The people along the way all bowed to her with utmost respect.

The two men on either side were men, wearing T-shirts and carrying curved knives. They had Central Plains features, but their hair was styled into whips and hung down on both sides, adorned with pearls and jade. They followed behind the girl, looking like grassland henchmen who accompanied a tribal princess on her outings to bully women and men.

The words spoken by the three as they walked were also quite thuggish:
"How many did we kill?"

"Seventeen. At this rate, we'll have twenty by tomorrow..."

"Killing these punks all the time isn't going to work; we need to find some tough guys..."

……

Seeing this, Ye Hongshang urged:
"You can flirt with her, go for it."

Xie Jinhuan was clearly surprised to see Jiang Xiaobiao and Constable Shen Cang, but considering that Jiang Xian was a junior of Master Qixia, it was only natural for him to be there. So he straightened up and went to greet them...
-
(The words below are added after the text and do not count as points.)

It took me more than a day to finish the detailed outline, and these 2 words were painstakingly written. I can only update one chapter today.
By the way, I'd like to recommend a book called "The Fairy Always Tries to Ruin My Dao Heart." You guys might want to check it out if you're interested!

　I recommend a book called "The Fairy Always Tries to Ruin My Dao Heart," you can check it out if you're interested!

(End of this chapter)