Longevity Candle

Chapter 126 The Path of the Illusionist, The Old Snake King

Candlelight records the past.

Although Jiang Zhu never experienced Li Qingping's final days, she followed the story and wove it into the candlelight.

Abandoned by his parents as a child, he was adopted by a group of soldiers and hidden in the mountains.

He studied medicine for his adoptive father, hoping to cure diseases all over the world.

He learned swordsmanship from his elder sister and used the sword to protect himself.

He entered the secular world; studying medicine could not save the world, nor could the sword in his hand.

He touched the spirits of mountains and seas, and the immortal masters and Taoists, who looked down upon him and granted him peace and tranquility.

Following the candlelight, Zhang Ming looked back on the past and witnessed the life of the Taiping Dao Master.

His childhood was tragic, but he later had an older sister and a happy childhood.

After entering the world, the world was in chaos, how similar it is to the present.
However, nowadays there are no mountain and sea spirits, immortal masters, or Taoist priests to come out and gather incense offerings.

The time is not yet ripe, and the mountain and sea spirits and immortal masters will not easily enter Ningguo again.

They couldn't guarantee that after revealing themselves, Emperor Ning wouldn't suddenly regain his senses and remember the peace and tranquility he had achieved.

Zhang Ming saw Li Qingping and watched him choose to sacrifice himself in order to establish a peaceful and worry-free society.

Li Qingping sacrificed himself, and a peaceful and prosperous era began, a golden age jointly created by the wise rulers of Ningguo throughout the ages.

That was an unprecedented period of strength, expanding its territory, driving the grasslands northward, invading the desert to the west, and destroying Yunmeng to the south.

How powerful they were!

Better to be a dog in Ningguo than a human in chaotic times!
Zhang Ming's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face before he could speak.

That was the country where he once lived, the country he was once incredibly proud of.

Wherever the people of Ning go, they can't help but proudly proclaim: "I come from Ning, I am a Ning person!"

A single word, "Peaceful Man," is enough to deter petty scoundrels from all nations from daring to cause trouble.

When Ningren traveled to Ningxia to trade, officials from various countries treated him with courtesy, dared not collect taxes from him, and he traveled freely without hindrance.

When the angels passed by, the king bowed his head, and all the officials greeted them!
Brilliant and splendid, domineering and arrogant.

"Ningguo's grand ambitions for hegemony are not yet complete," Jiang Zhu said calmly. "Li Qingping should have heard his elder sister say that to achieve true national strength, one should connect with the four seas."

"Connecting the four seas?" Zhang Ming was shocked. How vast would that territory be?

Today, the people of Ningxia only know about the South China Sea and the East China Sea, but have not yet reached the West China Sea and the North China Sea.

"Yes, Sheng Kingdom was originally Ning Kingdom's possession, but unfortunately, Emperor Ning gave it up for the sake of the peaches of immortality." Jiang Zhu sighed softly.

Ning Huang failed to seize the last opportunity created by Jiang Chenxi.

The poison of immortality, in a short time, invades the bone marrow, leaving no chance of recovery.

The peaceful and prosperous era collapsed, and uprisings broke out in various places in rebellion against Ningguo.

Zhang Ming's generation was both fortunate and unfortunate.

Fortunately, they witnessed the tail end of a golden age; unfortunately, the golden age had already collapsed, and the future would be even more chaotic.

With the change of imperial power and the struggle for the throne, war will engulf the entire Ning Kingdom.

Zhang Ming saw Li Qingchen, touring the mountains and rivers, enjoying the peaceful and prosperous world.

He envied Li Qingchen's life, a carefree life, and a peaceful retirement.

"War is inevitable, and Ningguo is beyond saving." Jiang Zhu said, "You yearn to save this country and want to change the world, but can you bear to wield the butcher's knife?"

"A heart filled only with kindness cannot escape the flames of war."

Zhang Ming fell silent. Could he really bring himself to wield the butcher's knife?
I can't afford it!
He asked himself the same question several times, and finally shook his head in despair, realizing that he could not be a hero, or even a tyrant.

If he could have done that, he wouldn't have been unable to raise several children back then, waiting for Jiang Zhu to lower his gaze and become a magician.

"I'm just an ordinary person. Even if I become a magician, I'm still just a magician," he said self-deprecatingly.

"Yes, you're just a magician."

The candlelight in Jiang Zhu's palm shifted, revealing a scene of her encounter with Zhang Ming: "Can your magic conjure up this mortal world?"

Zhang Ming was stunned, and stammered, "I can't conjure it up."

Jiang Zhu smiled and put away the candlelight: "What are you thinking now?"

Zhang Ming took the wine jar from him, took a big gulp, and boldly stared at him: "Master, what role did you play in the magic tricks of the past?"

“A wandering soul, the spirit, celestial master, or immortal you speak of.”

Jiang Zhu said, "Whether it's Yao Yao, Li Qingping, or you, I just opened my eyes, glanced at you, and exchanged a few words with you."

“This…” Zhang Ming opened his mouth, never expecting it to be like this.

In his mind, Yao Yao, Li Qingping, and Li Qingchen were all guided by his master.

"I gave you the ability of an illusionist. How you live your life is your business."

Jiang Zhu said, "As for me, I will use candlelight to record the story of a magician named Zhang Ming."

“If I’m not as great as them, is it even worth recording?” Zhang Ming asked.

“I don’t need you to prove anything to me. Is Li Qingchen great? He’s just a Qi cultivator enjoying a peaceful and prosperous era, a lucky one.”

Jiang Zhu said, "I am merely recording the friends I have met in this mortal world."

"Master," Zhang Ming called out, then asked in a low voice, "How old are you this year?"

"How old are you?" Jiang Zhu frowned and shook his head, saying, "I don't remember. Age has lost its meaning for me."

"significance?"

Zhang Ming murmured, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "Master, perhaps I know what kind of life I should have."

"Oh?" Jiang Zhu looked at him with a smile: "What does it mean?"

"Illusion is not just about wonderful tricks to amuse people, but also about recording the passage of time, just like you, with candlelight recording the past."

Since war is now unavoidable, I should leave Yigu City to document this disaster and warn future generations.

Zhang Ming said solemnly, "If I can't be a hero, then I'll be someone who warns future generations."

He wanted to record the disaster so that the world could see how terrible it was.

Homes destroyed, countless dead and wounded, people even resorting to cannibalism...

He wanted to show the few words in the history books.

Those cold words are read hastily, and how many people can imagine or think deeply about them?
Jiang Zhu didn't try to persuade him, but just sat on the roof, drinking his wine: "I'm in Yigu City, I'll come back when I'm tired."

"Master," Zhang Ming responded, then his eyes darted around cautiously, "If this disciple is bullied by a Qi Refiner..."

"What does that have to do with me?" Jiang Zhu glanced at him.

"Those mountain and sea spirits and immortal masters, they bullied the disciples?" Zhang Ming asked again.

Jiang Zhu was speechless: "You've really become too slick. I can't be bothered with Qi Refiners, and they don't even recognize me. If you encounter any mountain or sea spirits, just tell them my name."

He raised his hand, and a peach wood lamp appeared: "They all have one, so I'll give you one too."

"they?"

“Li Qingxuan, Li Qingchen, and Gu Xinsheng,” Jiang Zhu said. “But don’t trust my reputation too much, because I have quite a few enemies.”

"Huh? Who are they?"

"How would I know? Anyway, there are quite a few. I don't know them, but they know me." "And your friends?"

"They've all left Ningguo, so if you encounter elves or immortal masters outside, they're most likely your enemies."

"Shall we return this peach wood lamp to you?"

Zhang Ming's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly realized that this peach wood lamp was not a treasure at all, but a death warrant.

Those mountain and sea spirits and immortal masters wouldn't swarm him and chop him into mincemeat to feed the dogs, would they?

"gone."

Jiang Zhu's body dissipated, leaving Zhang Ming alone in fear.

Although the paths of immortality and following the will of Heaven have many spirits who hate him, under normal circumstances, they would not directly kill him.

Unless, of course, they can control the fate of the nation.

Jiang Zhu arrived at the peach grove outside the city, and now his range of movement has increased.

The peach grove remains, but the familiar faces are nowhere to be seen.

Li Qingchen and the others had already left, and Jiang Yunmeng had also gone far away.

Some people were picking peaches in the orchard, especially some children who climbed up the trees and couldn't wait to start eating them.

In these difficult times, a single peach can excite them for a long time.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to drink peach blossom wine for the time being.

Jiang Zhu also picked a peach, which flew towards the distant mountains and forests, landing on a grave that had long been forgotten.

A giant python looked at Tao'er as she flew down, its eyes filled with surprise.

Its massive body moved with the force of thunder, leaving a long trench in the ground. Its steel-like scales collided with a muffled, thunderous sound as it moved at high speed.

He arrived at his old friend's place, but the peach tree was nowhere to be seen. He felt a pang of sadness: "Didn't you come back? Then who would have brought her the peaches she loves most?"

He sighed deeply and was about to return to the mountains when two black dots suddenly appeared in the distance, causing him to stop.

The black dots approached from afar; they were a man and a woman. The man was dressed in black, handsome as a star, and carried an ancient sword on his back.

The woman was dressed in white, ethereal and otherworldly, with a silver moon snake and a golden centipede perched on her shoulder.

The giant python stared at the two of them. The woman was alright; she was just a mortal. Although she had cultivated, she was still in the martial arts realm.

But the man in black possessed an unfathomable aura, seemingly one with heaven and earth.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly felt an invisible force binding him.

It's that man in black!

"Fellow Daoist, please wait." The man in black called softly, "Gu Qingxu of the Taiping Dao greets you, fellow Daoist."

"Fellow Daoist?" The giant python squinted, sizing up Gu Qingxu.

"I am seeking a friend on the road." Gu Qingxu said, "This is my disciple Jiang Yunmeng. He insisted on coming to find you, but he searched for a long time in the mountains and forests before finally finding you, fellow Daoist."

"I never agreed to be your apprentice," Jiang Yunmeng snorted coldly, showing no respect for Gu Qingxu.

She stumbled and struggled along the way, desperately searching for the giant python, but unexpectedly, she encountered this strange man who insisted on taking her as his disciple and leading her into the path of immortality.

"Jiang Yunmeng," the giant python murmured, its gaze falling on the silver moon snake on her shoulder. "What brings you here?"

The silver moon snake flicked its tongue and leaped in front of him, respectfully prostrating itself.

"I would like to ask you to teach me martial arts so that I can avenge my father." Jiang Yunmeng knelt down without the slightest hesitation: "I will do anything, no matter the cost, as long as I can do it."

The giant python was stunned for a moment, but Gu Qingxu pulled her up: "I've already said that my swordsmanship is the best in the world. If you learn swordsmanship from me, you can also take revenge."

"Get away from me!" Jiang Yunmeng suddenly flew into a rage, angrily shoving Gu Qingxu away. "I won't follow the path of immortality, I won't follow the path of immortality, how many times do I have to tell you? Can't you go find someone else to be your disciple?"

Gu Qingxu was stunned for a moment, but instead of getting angry, he awkwardly stepped aside and said, "I won't force you, I won't force you."

After saying that, he glared fiercely at the giant python, hoping it would know better.

"I don't interfere in worldly affairs, nor am I knowledgeable in martial arts," the giant python said, shaking its head.

"Please teach me martial arts. As long as it can avenge my father, I will not hesitate to take my life."

Jiang Yunmeng seemed not to hear what the giant python said and knelt down to kowtow.

bang bang...

She kowtowed so hard that pebbles from the ground embedded themselves in her forehead, and traces of blood oozed out.

Gu Qingxu felt sorry for Jiang Yunmeng and wanted to help, but he was afraid of angering her.

He could only glare at the giant python even harder.

The giant python sighed helplessly, "Even if you glare your eyes out, you still don't know martial arts."

"You're too late. Peach Blossom Spring has moved away, and they left no martial arts methods behind." The giant python sighed, "If you want to learn martial arts, you can only go and find the people of Peach Blossom Spring."

"Please tell me where they are?" Jiang Yunmeng asked respectfully.

"It's very far, to the far west. I don't even know how far it is. A mortal might not be able to reach it in a single breath," the giant python said.

"Then take her there." Gu Qingxu looked at him coldly. The giant python had failed to understand his meaning several times, which had already angered him.

"Why don't you take her with you?" the giant python asked, unafraid of him.

Gu Qingxu paused, he couldn't very well say that he was too ashamed to go, could he?
"Actually, I also know martial arts, and I'm even stronger than Tao Yuan," Gu Qingxu said, forcing a smile.

He had said this before, but Jiang Yunmeng just wouldn't listen and naturally rejected him.

As expected, Jiang Yunmeng acted as if she hadn't heard: "Please give me your guidance, senior. No matter how far it is, I will give it a try."

The giant python sighed deeply. The west was too far away, and the journey was fraught with danger. Even a highly skilled martial artist might not be able to reach it, let alone a girl in front of him.

He turned his head and glanced at Tao'er not far away, then suddenly asked, "This Tao'er, wasn't she sent by you?"

"No, who would just throw a peach here for no reason?" Gu Qingxu said, pursing his lips.

Jiang Yunmeng shook her head and said, "I just arrived and haven't eaten peaches in a long time."

"That's true, nobody remembers her anymore." The giant python sighed with emotion. "Perhaps, he woke up and still remembers her."

Gu Qingxu's pupils contracted: "He's awake?"

Is it time for the green lamp to awaken?
He knew that Qingdeng's awakening time was shortening; if he calculated the time, it was indeed when Tao'er was ripe that she would wake up.

"You know him?" A cold glint flashed in the giant python's eyes. "I know who you are."

The rusty ancient sword awakened his memories.

Before the two could react, the giant python suddenly said, "You're on Yao Yao's grave now."

Gu Qingxu was taken aback, and quickly took a few steps back, then looked around as if afraid that something might come: "He didn't go to the West?"

“He didn’t leave.” The giant python shook its head: “Tao’er flew here from afar. After Taoyuan left, no one has been sending peaches to Yaoyao anymore.”

"Who is he? And who is Yaoyao?" Jiang Yunmeng couldn't help but ask.

"His name is Jiang Zhu, and he is Li Qingchen's master," the giant python said.

"Bullshit! I am Li Qingchen's master. I taught Li Qingchen. What right does he, a guy who only knows how to sleep, have to compete with me for a disciple?" Gu Qingxu said angrily.

"Jiang Zhu?" Jiang Yunmeng's mind jolted, and she exclaimed, "Jiang Zhu, dressed in white, who can perform magic tricks?"

"trick?"

(End of this chapter)