This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 90 The Patriarch's Decision, Zhong Bai's Destiny

“But sir, without you, Chunhua and Xiahe certainly cannot continue to live in this courtyard.”

Just as Chunhua finished speaking, Xiahe spoke up from the side.

"Sir, what Chunhua said may be a bit blunt, but we two really can't bear to see our peaceful and happy days come to an end."

But don't worry, sir, we'll gradually get used to life from now on.

Living in your courtyard for a year, sir, has been the most beautiful memory of spring blossoms and summer lotus!

Zhong Bai felt very uncomfortable after hearing this.

After all, the two maids had served him for a whole year, so it would be a lie to say he wasn't satisfied.

If I leave now, and the two girls aren't taken care of properly, it'll be like sending them into a fire pit. After all, in this era, people eat people without spitting out the bones!
After a moment of contemplation, Zhong Bai continued to ask questions.

"You two girls actually understand that I will leave Jiuquan Town sooner or later, even if I don't leave now, I will leave later."

So, do you two girls have any thoughts about your future?
"Speak your mind; I will certainly not stand idly by if I can help."

Hearing this, the two, who were initially feeling somewhat sad, felt a little relieved. Yes, such a day was bound to come sooner or later, wasn't it?
"Hehe, sir, I'm not afraid to tell you this, but Chunhua has always envied those school teachers since she was a child, because they don't have to do any physical labor."

It's a pity that Chunhua is a woman, and that she can still be admired...

She couldn't study, nor would she ever have the opportunity to study. Otherwise, Chunhua really wanted to be a schoolteacher!

"Pfft, Chunhua, you're so funny, but to be honest, Chunhua, your idea is pretty good."

"Hehe, isn't that right, Xia He?"

"Of course, Mr. Chunhua only wants to be a teacher, but Xiahe is a little different."

"Sir, what do you think of the current imperial court?"

Zhong Bai was somewhat surprised by Xia He's sudden question. He never expected that Xia He, a girl who was usually quiet and reserved, would ask such a question.

"The Qing Dynasty is already on its last legs. To put it bluntly, it's possible that the Qing Dynasty could be wiped out tomorrow. Xia He, why are you asking this?"

"Sir, I am not afraid of your ridicule. Since I was a child, I have felt that the emperor was incompetent and that the Qing Dynasty only knew how to exploit the people. My parents and brothers were starved to death because of this. When I was young, I actually studied in a private school for a few years and knew some things about politics. My ideal is very grand: to enable the people of Kyushu to live a good life and not to continue down the tragic path of my family."

It is rare and precious, or rather, simple, for Xia He to have such thoughts.

However, she only had the idea, but couldn't figure out how to realize this ideal.

Zhong Bai remained silent for a while.

"Hehe, sir, please just take this as a joke. Xia He knows that my idea is far-fetched, but if I can't do it, I can't even think about it, right?"

"No!"

Zhong Bai continued in a deep voice, "Xia He, your idea is very good, but to achieve this, it is not something that an ordinary person can persist in. Since ancient times, those who want to change the whole society have needed to have a certain foundation."

Xiahe and Chunhua, I originally thought that you two were still too young, not even seventeen years old, and that it was a bit too early for you to get married.

So I've never asked you what you thought, but now that you've shared your thoughts, I think it's time for you to decide your own future!
Whether you're a teacher or trying to change the world, one thing is essential: you must have something in your mind.

Tomorrow I will go to the Yang residence and ask the head of the Yang family to find some decent teachers for Chunhua and Xiahe.

If possible, I will send you abroad to study and even personally teach you for a period of time!
"Do you two girls have confidence?"

Zhong Bai's words seemed to open up a new world, at least that's how Chunhua and Xiahe felt at that moment.

"Sir, we are willing!"

Zhong Bai laughed, a hearty laugh. Perhaps his suggestion to leave Jiuquan Town was a good thing for the two girls, Chunhua and Xiahe…

......................................................

While Zhong Bai has managed to appease Chunhua and Xiahe in Jiuquan Town, a heated discussion is taking place in Maoshan that will determine Zhong Bai's fate!

Maoshan, the main hall of the sect.

The sect leader, Xuanmingzi, had emerged from seclusion. His complexion was rosy, and his once somewhat pale temples had disappeared, replaced by jet-black hair.

Seated in the center of the main hall, looking at the elders below, Xuanmingzi finally spoke: "My fellow disciples have arrived quickly. I suppose you all already know what we have called you here to discuss."

Zhong Bai, a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, wanted to leave Jiuquan Town to travel the world. Such a trivial matter would not normally require us to make a decision, since there are no examples of people from Maoshan leaving after only a year of being stationed in a place. However, Zhong Bai's situation is too special.

It only took him a year to reach the eighth level of Qi Refining. It can be said that Zhong Bai, a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, is the leading figure among the disciples of Maoshan in this generation!
The Ancestor of the Underworld is already aware of his situation and has instructed the main body to personally take good care of Zhong Bai.

That's the situation now, everyone please share your thoughts!

Upon hearing this, the elders remained silent at first, but then True Person Qian Yuan was the first to stand up and express his opinion.

“Master, although Zhong Bai is a disciple of my Enforcement Hall, there has never been a case of someone leaving to guard a region for more than a year since ancient times.”

Even if Zhong Bai wanted to travel the world to seek a breakthrough because his cultivation had hit a bottleneck, this matter could not be opened up so easily. Otherwise, other disciples stationed in Maoshan would follow suit and use the excuse of seeking a breakthrough to leave their posts.

"Although I am Zhong Bai's master, I also feel that this matter should be handled with caution!" Master Qian Yuan's words made his attitude clear. In theory, he, as Zhong Bai's master, supported Zhong Bai's desire to leave Jiuquan Town. However, Zhong Bai's departure from Jiuquan Town had torn open the rules of Maoshan. If any disciples followed suit in the future, it would be the fault of both Qian Yuan and Zhong Bai. Therefore, it was best to clarify this situation in advance.

"Senior Brother Qian Yuan's considerations are very thorough. My point is that Junior Nephew Qian He needs to travel the world to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough."

The key is to avoid creating an opening that would encourage other disciples to follow suit, and also to prevent them from developing resentment…

Changsheng Zhenren naturally supports Qianyuan Zhenren. He couldn't wait for Zhong Bai to leave Jiuquan Town now, so that he would have the opportunity to trick Zhong Bai into joining the Corpse Driving Hall and promote joint training between the two halls.

"Haha, Junior Brother Changsheng is right. I think it's actually quite simple to prevent this from happening again. I wonder if any of you fellow disciples still remember a special location that Maoshan once had?"

"Oh? I wonder what Junior Brother Lin is referring to?"

Master Qian Yuan asked in confusion, as he truly did not know what Lin Junmen was talking about.

"Hehe, a Maoshan wanderer! Also known as a Maoshan Taoist!"

Mentioning Maoshan Daozi instantly caused all the elders present to have complicated expressions.

Even the sect leader, Xuanmingzi, frowned slightly.

"Junior Brother Lin, watch your words!"

As Zhong Bai's master, Master Qian Yuan was the first to stop the topic.

What is Maoshan Walking? What is Maoshan Daoist?
Actually, he is similar to Zhang Zhiwei, who travels the world in Longhu Mountain. However, Zhang Zhiwei is a true disciple of the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain and a candidate for the next Celestial Master. Therefore, he needs to travel the world to slay demons and monsters, which can be regarded as a kind of training or a key to accumulating fame before becoming a Celestial Master.

Since Maoshan officially abolished the rule of appointing Golden Core True Monarchs as elders hundreds of years ago, no disciple has been able to obtain such a status and position in the years that followed.

The reason is simple: the Maoshan Taoist represents the face of Maoshan. As the future leader of Maoshan, he cannot be weak in cultivation when he goes out.
Even reaching the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining is barely enough. Besides that, a Daoist Master can't possibly be an old man, can he?

Therefore, it is difficult for such a young disciple to possess a cultivation level that matches his abilities.

Zhong Bai basically meets this requirement, but Zhong Bai has a fatal flaw!
That is, Zhong Bai is not a candidate for the leader of Maoshan Sect. Zhong Bai cultivates the Shenxiao Sect's ultimate technique, the Shenxiao Five Thunder Technique. This is something that everyone in Maoshan knows.

That's why Master Qian Yuan spoke up to stop it.

Just as the atmosphere in the main hall became somewhat solemn, three old men appeared in the center of the hall in an instant; they were none other than the three elders of Maoshan.

Among them, Ming Wanqian's gaze swept around before looking at Xuan Mingzi sitting above.

The sudden appearance of the three people brought the elders, who had been silent, back to their senses.

"We greet our three senior uncles and senior masters!"

Even Xuanmingzi stood up and bowed.

Nodding, Ming Wanqian did not forget the purpose of his visit.

"I heard that you were discussing the fate of Zhong Bai, a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, in Jiuquan Town. The Underworld Ancestors have already made a decision on this matter, and the three of you have come here to announce the decision of the Underworld Ancestors."

"The Ancestor of the Underworld?"

Everyone was shocked. How could the patriarchs of Maoshan Underworld know about this?

The elders, who didn't quite understand, quietly awaited Ming Wanqian's announcement.

"Listen up, everyone. The Ancestor of the Underworld said that we should stop sticking to those rigid rules. So what if it's the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Technique? Isn't it also part of the Shangqing Thunder Technique? It belongs to the Shangqing School. Whether it's the Divine Firmament School or Maoshan, they are all Taoist sects."

As for Zhong Bai's future, he will continue to guard Jiuquan Town for three years. After that, Zhong Bai will be a candidate for the next leader of Maoshan Sect and will become the Maoshan Taoist Master, traveling the world to slay all demons and evil spirits!

After conveying the decision of the Underworld Ancestor, Ming Wanqian smiled.

"The matter is so simple, why are you all discussing it back and forth? Especially you, Qian Yuan, do you really think we all don't understand your little schemes?"

Alright, that's settled then. We three old folks will be taking our leave now.

After saying this, the three elders left.

The group of Maoshan elders were left looking at each other in bewilderment, but without exception, all their gazes were fixed on Xuanmingzi, the sect leader. After all, for hundreds of years, it had always been the sect leader's personal disciple who eventually succeeded to the position of Maoshan sect leader. Now, suddenly, Zhong Bai had become the Dao Child, and Shi Jian...

Seeing the expressions on the faces of the elders below, it would be a lie to say that Xuanmingzi felt no regret.

However, he already knew about his disciple Shi Jian in advance.

"Fellow disciples, there's no need to look at me like that. In fact, even without my nephew Zhong Bai becoming the Dao Child, my disciple Shi Jian wouldn't be qualified to become the next sect leader. This is what Shi Jian said frankly in a letter to me some time ago."

That's good too. It's fortunate that Maoshan has produced a Daoist disciple like Zhong Bai. It's a blessing for the people of the whole country.

"It's a good thing that the Daoist sect will likely have young Golden Core True Monarchs to lead it in the future!"

Sorry, dear readers, something came up at school yesterday afternoon and they called me away. Hehe, I'm a junior in college and still doing an internship. Sometimes I really can't just say I won't go. Damn, so frustrating.

From now on, updates will be around 6 PM, four chapters totaling 12,000 words. Then, the two chapters I missed yesterday will be made up tomorrow and the day after, making it five chapters totaling 16,000 words over the next two days.

Sigh, it's tiring, but I hope all you readers can support me by subscribing and giving me monthly tickets. Thank you!


(End of this chapter)