There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 268 It's all the fault of the Hidden Star Dharma Master

Da da da--

After watching Chen Qing and the others leave, Zhang Meng went straight back to the Xuanyu Prison.

After passing through the outer room guarded by several elderly and infirm jailers, the light became dimmer as you went further in.

Finally, he stopped in a dead corner of the most remote prison area.

Here, a figure almost blends into the shadow of the wall, with only half of its face vaguely visible in the dim light.

"Is the person gone?"

Zhang Meng strode forward, stopped a few steps away, and bowed slightly: "They've left. I saw them head west with my own eyes, saying they were going straight to Kuchan Temple."

The person in the shadows remained noncommittal, instead asking, "What did Chen Qiu ask you?"

Zhang Meng thought carefully and said, "Replying to your question, sir, he mainly asked about the current situation in the world, the wars on all sides, and the matter of those monks in the Western Wilderness."

After a moment of silence in the shadows, he said, "He didn't ask about the deeds of the Hidden Star Sect's Dharma Master? Not even a single question?"

Zhang Meng was taken aback, recalled again, and then said, "At first, in order to get closer to you, I deliberately mentioned a few things about the Dharma Master's past at Mufa Tower, but Young Master Chen didn't seem to care much."

He himself found it strange. Normally, which disciple of a sect of this age wouldn't yearn for the legendary stories of their ancestors?
"That's strange..." the person in the shadows murmured. "The true disciple of the Hidden Star Sect, the heir of the Marquis of Donghai, is indifferent to his own sect's past, yet so concerned about the current chaotic situation and the movements of Buddhism? Could it be that this Chen Qiu is not the person we are looking for? But according to his life story, he is very likely the reincarnation of a great being, and according to rumors, he can point one finger to the sky and one finger to the earth, he is extremely domineering..."

He suddenly changed the subject: "Alright, let's put this matter aside for now. Since they've gone to the Kuchan Temple, we don't need to pay attention to it for the time being. That place has been managed by the Lotus Dharma Realm for many years, and it's not easy to spy on. However, the Lotus Dharma Realm also has methods to investigate past lives, so we must be wary."

"Here!"

After agreeing, Zhang Meng hesitated to speak.

But before he could ask, the person in the shadows said, "Some things are better left unsaid. Just do them. Knowing too much won't do you any good."

On the other side, Chen Qing and his group left Tingfeng City, and Zheng Qingtian patted the storage bag at his waist.

"The journey to Kuchan Temple is not short, and walking will take a long time. Let's ride in Zheng's Cloud Shuttle instead!"

After speaking, he formed a hand seal, and a stream of light flew out of the bag, growing as it was exposed to the wind, transforming into a bronze flying boat about five zhang long and shaped like a shuttlefish.

The boat has smooth lines and looks a bit old.

Upon seeing this, Chen Qing immediately hesitated. There were quite a few people in their group, but he couldn't resist the urging from the people next to him.

"Fine! This time, you'll prove my innocence too!"

Finally, he gritted his teeth and boarded the airship.

Zheng Qingtian stood at the bow of the boat, and with a surge of his magic power, the flying boat trembled slightly, transforming into a streak of azure light that broke through the clouds and sped westward at an extremely fast speed.

Inside the cabin, Chen Qing found a place to sit down, his gaze sweeping across the rapidly receding mountains and cities outside the window. Seeing the many signs of decay, he gained a more direct understanding of the current chaos in the world and the decline of the Immortal Dynasty.

He turned to Zheng Qingtian and asked bluntly, "Brother Zheng, why are the gang members being held at the Bitter Zen Temple?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qingtian did not answer immediately. Instead, he took out a jar of strong liquor from a corner of the flying boat, broke the mud seal, poured a bowl for Chen Qing first, and asked the others. When he learned that no one wanted any, he took a big gulp from the jar himself, wiped his mouth, and said, "Since you asked, brother, I won't hide it from you. Some time ago, my men received intelligence that an elite squad of the Five Elements Army had secretly infiltrated the Central Continent. Their movements were elusive. We followed the clues and, after many twists and turns, finally tracked down that bald monk from the Kuchan Temple!"

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and his words were filled with hatred: "Those monks, on the surface, eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, always talking about compassion and being untouched by worldly affairs, not involved in wars, but on the surface, they are single-mindedly focused on seizing land and famous mountains and rivers, occupying spiritual veins, and behind the scenes, they are colluding with the Five Elements Army, secretly exchanging pleasantries! In my opinion, in this world, they are the most hypocritical and treacherous! Which temple doesn't want to interfere in local affairs, and which high monk doesn't want to influence the situation?"

Mang Shou Tuo, standing to the side, nodded emphatically and chimed in, “Chief Zheng is absolutely right! The Five Elements Army has caused quite a bit of trouble in our East China Sea, plundering merchant ships and harassing border towns. They are truly rampant! However, their whereabouts are elusive, and they have capable people behind them. We have repeatedly tried to wipe them out, but we have failed to achieve complete success and have lost many brothers!” He looked at Chen Qing and added, “Young Master, you have been cultivating in seclusion on the Immortal Mountain for a long time and do not know how powerful these bandits are. You must not underestimate them.”

"The Five Elements Army..." Chen Qing pondered. "Judging from this name, it seems to be related to the Five Elements. Could its lineage be quite ancient?"

“It’s more than ancient!” Mang Shou Tuo said with a hint of complexity. “If we trace its origins, its first ancestor is said to be nearly 20,000 years ago!”

"Twenty thousand years ago?" Chen Qing paused slightly, a look of surprise in his eyes.

“That’s right!” Zheng Qingtian picked up the conversation and chuckled. “Moreover, speaking of which, the origin of the Five Elements Army has a considerable connection with your Hidden Star Sect.”

"Oh?" Chen Qing looked surprised.

Seeing Chen Qing's focused gaze, he continued, "It is said that the founder of the Five Elements Army was a close friend of your sect's Hidden Star Dharma Master, and they were like-minded. Some even say that the reason he was able to establish his own banner and create the Five Elements Army was because he received guidance and inspiration from the Hidden Star Dharma Master!"

Jiang Shangkun!
Upon hearing this, Chen Qing immediately pictured the figure in the small courtyard in the north, his cloak fluttering, who had arrogantly declared he would "smash the Immortal Dynasty." The cultivation method he practiced perfectly aligned with the mysteries of the Five Elements' cycle and endless renewal.

As for other outrageous rumors, he had become somewhat accustomed to them after several changes in the times.

Zheng Qingtian continued, "The Five Elements Army is quite powerful now, divided into five divisions: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, each with its own strengths, and each division is overseen by a Nascent Soul expert. In this world where spiritual energy is dwindling, maintaining such strength is no small feat." "A Nascent Soul expert overseeing..." Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

With Zheng Qingtian's reminder, he subtly shifted his divine sense and perceived more clearly that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth around him was much thinner than that of the era in which "Li Qing" lived.

With the decline of spiritual energy and the retreat of the Great Dao, the path of cultivation is clearly becoming increasingly difficult.

However, what worried him even more was something else entirely.

"According to them, the Hidden Star Dharma Master is a person from 20,000 years ago? I didn't jump 10,000 years this time, but... 20,000 years?"

Chen Qing lowered his eyelids, using the act of drinking to conceal the surprise in his eyes.

He was eager to find out what year and month it was, and how long had passed since the era of Emperor Taijing. However, once he asked this question, it was highly suspicious that he, as a true disciple of the Hidden Star, did not know the exact era of his ancestor.

So he had no choice but to suppress the myriad questions in his mind and keep his shock and confusion to himself.

The flying boat pierced through the clouds and mist.

Next, Zheng Qingtian and Mang Shoutuo, over a glass of strong liquor, went on to explain in detail the recent movements of the Five Elements Army and the connection between the Kuchan Temple and the "Lotus Dharma Realm".

Chen Qing mostly listened quietly, only asking questions at crucial moments.

About half a day later, the outline of a continuous gray-brown mountain range gradually became clear on the distant horizon.

One of the main peaks was shrouded in a dim golden light, exuding a sense of twilight and death, quite different from the peaceful and solemn atmosphere of ordinary Buddhist temples.

“The Kuchan Mountain is just ahead.” Zheng Qingtian suddenly stood up and walked to the bow of the boat. “Our sects in the Central Plains often settle in the mountains. For example, the Hidden Star Sect’s mountain gate is on Dingyuan Mountain, and it does not change its name. But the Shamen sect values ​​fortune. Once they occupy a place, they change its name. This mountain was originally called Shier, but now few people remember it.”

The airship began to decelerate and slowly descend, but before it could land, the clouds ahead were suddenly torn apart by several sharp sword lights!
"Boo! Hah! Hah!"

Seven or eight figures, riding flying swords, quickly surrounded the bronze flying boat.

The newcomers were all dressed in gray monk robes, but they moved with lightning speed and coordinated perfectly. In the blink of an eye, they set up a chilling sword formation, with intertwined energy that locked down all directions!
Chen Qing's heart tightened, and he subconsciously glanced at the flying boat beneath his feet: "Could it be that this flying boat is destined to collapse halfway through the journey after I board it?"

Immediately, his gaze sharpened, and he noticed the monks' unusual behavior—

They were all blind, their eyes tightly closed and sunken in, yet the sword energy emanating from them was surging and fierce!

"Why are all these monks blind?"

Beside them, Ling Jue and Yun Shuyue showed some embarrassment.

Mang Shou Tuo explained in a deep voice, "Young Master, this is the Mind-Eye Sword Monk from the Buddhist sect. In fact, the origin of this lineage is somewhat related to the Hidden Star Dharma Master."

"Is this related to the Dharma Master again?" Chen Qing was taken aback. This was the second time today that he had heard "anecdotes" about the patriarch.

Mang Shou Tuo nodded and sighed, "It is said that 20,000 years ago, a high monk from the Western Wilderness crossed the sea to the east to discuss the Dao with the Dharma Master. Due to a bet, the monk gouged out his own eyes. Unexpectedly, he turned misfortune into blessing, comprehending the true essence of the Heart Sword in the boundless darkness. He no longer relied on his physical eyes, but observed things with his heart, and his sword flashed without a trace, extremely sharp! This method was later passed down and became the Heart Sword Monk lineage among the Buddhist sects, specializing in killing and warfare. When the Buddhas of the Western Wilderness marched east and broke through the strong passes of the Immortal Dynasty, these sword monks were one of the sharpest blades under their command!"

Chen Qing was taken aback, then thought of someone.

On the banks of the Thunder Pool, a monk from the Western Wilderness gouged out his own eyes!
A strange feeling arose in his heart: "How can everything be traced back to the Dharma Master? In the past 20,000 years, haven't any other prominent figures emerged?"

"Stop!"

At this moment, one of the sword monks stepped forward from the crowd.

Although he was blind, he accurately "looked" at Zheng Qingtian: "Zheng Qingtian, your gang members have trespassed into the forbidden area and spied on secrets, which has violated our temple rules and should be punished. If you know what's good for you, leave quickly and you can still save yourself! If you insist on going up the mountain, today will be your day of reckoning!"

"Hahaha!" Zheng Qingtian stood at the bow of the ship, facing the chilling sword formation and the cold warning, but he laughed loudly, his voice shaking the surrounding area: "What arrogance! It's not up to you blind bald monks to punish my brothers! You don't even know why they were captured? You want me to retreat? You're not worthy!"

Despite saying this, he secretly transmitted his voice to Chen Qing and the others: "Brother Chen, Commander Mang, and my two young friends, when the fighting starts, I will tear open a gap in the sword formation with all my might, and you can take the opportunity to escape! They are coming for me, and I cannot let you get involved!"

"It's indeed easy to lure Zheng Qingtian here."

In the distance, on a cliff, two people were watching from afar.

One of them, dressed in a brocade robe with a sinister face, looked at the flying boat trapped in the sword formation and laughed, "The Blind Sword Locking Formation is enough to trap and capture him. If there are any further complications, the people in the flying boat can also be used as hostages to make him hesitate to act." His words exuded an air of confidence and composure.

The scholar-looking man beside him immediately fawned and echoed, "Your Majesty's strategy is flawless! After capturing Zheng Qingtian, you exposed his shady past in public and then took over the Lieyun Gang, which he had painstakingly built. All his years of conquering and gathering people's hearts were just a stepping stone for Your Majesty!"

The sinister-looking man stood with his hands behind his back, full of smug satisfaction: "This plan is perfect. I want to see who can save Zheng Qingtian!" His gaze swept across the battlefield, as if he could already see Zheng Qingtian's disgrace and all his forces surrendering to him.

(End of this chapter)