Devouring Evil Martial Arts, Eliminating Demons from All Heavens

Chapter 338 A Real-Life Tourism Experience: Illusion Revealed

The area by the window became quiet.

Chu Tianshu carefully examined the pulse but found nothing unusual.

"Could you tell me about the strange dream?"

Teacher Yuan casually said, "It's nothing, I just dream about different scenes, but in each one there's a Taoist priest with a blurry face chanting scriptures."

"Honestly, if I could hear what they were saying, I might feel a little better."

"However, there are many passages in the scriptures that do not sound like human speech at all. They sound like a mixture of many musical instruments playing together, but we know clearly that it is not a performance, but a chanting."

Yuan Zhonglu sighed, "The discrepancy between cognition and hearing is quite agonizing."

"After all these years, there are still only a few fragmented sentences that I can occasionally hear clearly and remember. They are scattered and insignificant, just like my mother back then."

Chu Tianshu asked, "What sentence was the part that I could hear clearly?"

Teacher Yuan smiled and said, "You should be able to guess it from my name."

"A girl actually named herself Zhong Lü, such a strange name, because the sentences in her dream were from the Zhong Lü's collection of sermons."

The "Collection of Teachings of Zhongli Quan and Lü Dongbin" discusses the essentials of internal alchemy in the form of questions and answers between Zhongli Quan and Lü Dongbin, master and disciple.

It consists of eighteen volumes, including sections on the four seasons, the five elements, water and fire, dragons and tigers, the court, and omens. It has been revised several times throughout history, and many of the versions passed down to later generations are incomplete.

Yuan Zhonglu's father studied the "Xueliang Xinfa" (Snow Grain Heart Method) transmitted by the Chan (Zen) school. Although he was not a monk, he did not know much about the Daoist teachings.

Her mother was not a spiritual practitioner; she was simply naturally healthy, living a life free of illness and disaster, and passing away peacefully in her later years.

Strange dreams were a nuisance to Yuan Zhonglu, but her mother was so carefree that she didn't care much and continued to sleep as usual.

In those days, the internet was not well-developed, and it was difficult to verify the fragments of information obtained in dreams.

It was only after her parents met Feng Jianhua in their middle age that they deduced that those sentences were fragments of the Zhong Lü Chuandao Collection.

At the time, Principal Feng also helped by pulling strings to have someone examine and diagnose the condition, but no signs of any vengeful spirits were found.

It was as if it were truly just her mother's dream, a dream about articles she had never studied.

Feng Jianhua was amazed at the time, thinking that his sister-in-law might be a prodigy in the practice of internal alchemy.

Unfortunately, her mother tried several times but couldn't get the hang of it.

After Yuan Zhonglu was born, in order to commemorate this extraordinary event, he even named himself Zhonglu. Of course, he was also supposed to try learning the internal alchemy method.

However, when she finally grasped the essence of things, she followed the path of a boxer.

To date, her progress in boxing has been steady, though not particularly rapid.

Even if she reads, learns, and practices other types of martial arts, she will still unconsciously return to this style of martial arts.

"It sounds like there's something fishy going on here."

Chu Tianshu asked in surprise, "You still dare to run around alone like this?"

Teacher Yuan smiled languidly, picked up the teacup with her left hand, and took a small sip.

"Any oddity, once the time scale is long enough, you have to get used to it. I can't possibly be fully armed and suspicious every day because of a strange thing that I don't know if it will ever be revealed in my lifetime."

Ms. Yuan said, "When I first went on a long trip, I felt a strong sense of being called to."

“On those trips, not only did my dad accompany me, but even the principal came with me to see what strange things could be happening.”

But nothing happened.

"The places I travel to have changed several times over the years, so I've just become indifferent to it."

Chu Tianshu thought for a moment and said, "Relax and don't show any resistance. Let me take a closer look."

Yuan Zhonglu raised an eyebrow and nodded.

A glint of light, like a needle, suddenly appeared in Chu Tianshu's eyes, which then expanded into a ring.

The halo has a wonderful color, crystal clear, and looks like both blue and red.

When Yuan Zhonglu was looked at like that, he felt as if he had been in a dark room for a long time and was suddenly exposed to the warm autumn sun.

Even with her eyes lowered, Teacher Yuan could still feel the warm red glow in front of her and even the slight light on her forehead.

It was unclear whether light was shining into her forehead or shining outwards from her forehead.

"All right."

Chu Tianshu's voice reached my ears.

When Teacher Yuan opened her eyes, she was surprised to realize that she had closed them completely.

Chu Tianshu withdrew his hand from taking her pulse, picked up his teacup, and took two sips.

"I can indeed sense some subtle energy in your mind, but given your current state, I can't quite grasp it."

Chu Tianshu said, "How about this, you find a place to sleep, and I'll take the opportunity to see if that aura becomes more active?"

Yuan Zhonglu pondered for a moment.

"I usually don't have strange dreams when I take a nap."

She picked up the teapot, poured herself another cup, and smiled. "Besides, I was supposed to be your guide today."

"We'll go out for a stroll during the day, and then go back to the hotel in the evening. I'll sleep on the sofa fully clothed and see if I have any strange dreams."

Chu Tianshu looked at the street scene outside the window and nodded, saying, "That's fine too."

The scenery outside was beautiful, and the sunlight was bright but not scorching.

He came to this city with the intention of investigating, but he had an open and honest heart.

Of course, it should be broad daylight and clear skies; let's go out and take a look first.

"I need to get to Shenyue Mountain first, how do I get there?"

Upon hearing the question, Teacher Yuan immediately smiled and said, "That's a popular tourist attraction."

"I'm afraid 40% of the taxis that pass through this street are going that way. You can just take a taxi later."

Chu Tianshu stopped asking questions after hearing this, and instead savored his tea while observing the kittens.

He wasn't actually very interested in ordinary kittens.

Teacher Xiaobai's advantage lies in his boxing skills. Even if he isn't as cute as some of the cats in the store, Chu Tianshu will still favor him ten times over.

However, the atmosphere in this store is indeed very good.

Watching the interaction between the kittens and people, Chu Tianshu felt a sense of peace and gentleness in his heart.

This quiet and gentle atmosphere changed dramatically after we got into the taxi and drove for about twenty minutes.

As we approached Mount Shenyue, the crowds grew increasingly dense.

At the foot of the mountain, there are countless small shops and stalls, crowds jostling shoulder to shoulder, and street singers from who-knows-where performing on the spot.

Cars generally slow down when they reach this point, practically crawling along.

"Is it so lively?"

Chu Tianshu felt like he was going to the market in the county town when he was a child.

The various kinds of preserved plums, nuts, fried rice candy, and winter melon candy sold directly in large plastic bags at those street stalls all looked so familiar.

Aside from the language difference, this place feels like stepping back in time to my hometown county town ten years ago.

"On the side of Shinwolsan Mountain is Busan's largest secondhand market. Recently, perhaps because of the festival, many vendors from the secondhand market have spread here."

After getting off the bus, Ms. Yuan raised her voice slightly as she explained to Chu Tianshu. Chu Tianshu looked in the direction Ms. Yuan was pointing.

From a distance, you can see many stalls selling clothes, used books, and toys.

Many people were there choosing clothes, trying on clothes that might fit, and taking them off if they didn't.

Every place that sells clothes has a big sign. He doesn't recognize the Chinese characters, but he does recognize Arabic numerals.

Chu Tianshu muttered to himself, "Several zeros."

"Actually, if you convert it, it's equivalent to fifteen yuan a piece in my hometown, and the whole thing is fifteen yuan."

Teacher Yuan laughed and said, "I've also seen similar two-dollar supermarkets back in my hometown."

Chu Tianshu blinked.

The information provided by the wasteland didn't mention whether there was a secondhand market around Mount Shenyue.

However, if the foot traffic remains this high, the evil faction probably won't set up its headquarters here.

He already had a premonition, but he still insisted on going up the mountain to take a look.

As you walk up the stone steps to the halfway point of the mountain, the crowd thins out considerably.

When we reached the top of the mountain, there were a few more people, but it was still far less crowded than at the foot of the mountain.

The ground at the top of the mountain is almost entirely paved with large stone slabs, and knee-high statues of Ksitigarbha can be seen everywhere.

In South Korea, the most common form of Buddhist worship is the worship of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

According to legend, Ksitigarbha was once reincarnated as a member of the royal family of Silla, named Kim Gyo-gak. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, he traveled to the Central Plains to study Buddhism and lived on Mount Jiuhua for several decades before passing away.

Silla was one of the ancient kingdoms on this land.

Therefore, the Ksitigarbha faith has a very deep connection with this place.

However, the souvenir shop you first see at the top of the mountain doesn't have many Ksitigarbha elements; instead, it displays photos of various young men and women.

"The shops here sell all kinds of idol-endorsed items, such as bracelets, rings, and necklaces. The ones with a closer connection to temples are the zodiac candles."

Yuan Zhonglu provided the introduction from the side.

Those zodiac candles were all made in the shape of animal heads and human bodies, plump and chubby, with an endearing and simple appearance.

"Those who come here to pray for blessings often choose a zodiac sign that corresponds to their own and go to the main hall to pray to the largest statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva."

"Many people choose their idol's zodiac sign to pray for their idol's well-being. I've heard that they are even more devout than when they make a wish for themselves, and they have a higher spending power."

Chu Tianshu didn't buy anything. He strolled around and looked around inside and outside the main hall.

There were several monks in the hall who appeared to be practicing Buddhism, but their aura was exactly the same as that of the Ksitigarbha statue, and they were not the people Chu Tianshu was looking for.

According to the information provided by the Wasteland, the evil sects here in Shenyue Mountain originally practiced the Great Black Heaven Method. However, due to the passage of time and the incompleteness of their own lineage, coupled with their burning greed, they changed their worship to the spirit world's ghosts and gods, the "Dragon Flower Treasure Tree".

When the zombie outbreak occurred, Shenyue Mountain was the biggest and earliest source of trouble in Busan.

The initial scale of the other locations was much smaller than that of Shenyue Mountain.

Chu Tianshu was not familiar with Daheitian, but he had dealt with Longhua Tree back in the Macau area.

That flavor isn't here.

"It's really okay."

Chu Tianshu seemed a little disappointed, but also a little relieved.

If there's no sign of major disaster, that's a great thing.

On the way down the mountain, he felt much more relaxed. He passed by a lively crowd and didn't find it noisy at all; instead, he became more interested.

"I haven't had fried rice candy in years. Give me two pounds, and some winter melon candy too."

Chu Tianshu went on a shopping spree, and soon he had four or five plastic bags in his left hand. He reached inside with his right hand and grabbed a little bit to taste.

He remembered that he didn't like eating winter melon candy when he was a child, but the taste of the candy was so unfamiliar to him that he became curious about it again.

After eating a piece, he confirmed that his taste was still the same as when he was a child.

It was overly sweet and had an indescribable, strange plant-like taste.

The fried rice candy was quite good, though.

"Would Teacher Yuan like to join us?"

Yuan Zhonglu did not refuse.

The two strolled around the mountain again, and before they knew it, it was evening.

Yuan Zhonglu called a car and took him to the hotel he had booked.

Teacher Yuan doesn't have the habit of saving money. When she travels, she never skimps on herself. She booked a suite, and she booked the same for Chu Tianshu.

The room has a living room, study, bathroom, bedroom, and balcony.

Chu Tian opened his bedroom door and glanced inside, saying, "Perfect, the sofa covers here are all new, why don't you try sleeping here?"

Ms. Yuan didn't refuse. After Chu Tianshu went in and put down his purchases, she changed her shoes and came in as well.

When Chu Tianshu went to draw back the curtains and turned around, Teacher Yuan was staring at the floor with a look of envy on her face.

Chu Tianshu asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Yuan Zhonglu said, "No wonder you don't need to change your shoes; there's not a speck of dust on the soles."

Chu Tianshu saw the clean floor and said "Oh".

He has recently been practicing the "Floating Tumbleweed Chasing the Sun" True Skill, and his internal energy is full and ready to burst forth. He has protective energy in his body at all times, and it is not surprising that his energy reaches the soles of his shoes.

"This must be a wonderful application of internal energy."

Yuan Zhonglu walked to the sofa and said, “I used to develop a sense of Qi, but it was quickly absorbed by my body. It’s not as good as practicing boxing normally.”

Chu Tianshu laughed and said, "If we can resolve the strange thing about you, you can try practicing whatever you want in the future."

"By the way, with me here, can you fall asleep? Should I give you an acupuncture to help you fall asleep faster?"

Yuan Zhonglu shook his head: "No need, I can fall asleep whenever I want."

She didn't lie down, but sat cross-legged on the sofa, gently pressing her hands on her knees, leaning her back slightly, and closing her eyes.

Chu Tianshu stood by the coffee table, listening to her heartbeat and breathing. After counting only thirty-three breaths, he realized she had fallen asleep.

The window faces east, and through the glass, one can see the eastern sky gradually darkening.

A very subtle ripple appeared on Teacher Yuan's forehead.

Chu Tianshu's eyes brightened slightly, and he reached out and grabbed at the air.

That subtle, ethereal aura, though grasped by him, did not escape Teacher Yuan's grasp.

On the contrary, the greater the force with which Chu Tianshu pulled, the more illusory flames surged forth, and the stronger the aura became.

In the blink of an eye, it seemed as if a flame more than three meters long shot out from between Teacher Yuan's eyebrows.

The flame's tail burned to a height more than a person's, transforming into a phantom image of a Taoist priest.

The flame was like a fleeting illusion, bringing no heat, but rather a serene chill.

The Taoist priest was slender, carrying a long sword on his back and holding a whisk in his hand. When his facial features appeared, they were those of a woman with a cold and aloof expression.

(End of this chapter)