Dao Qi Wu Zang Guan Guan: I became a Daoist Master in the 1990s

Chapter 140 Cleansing the Old Illness
Qi Yun bowed deeply to Xuan Qing's lonely grave, then turned around, holding the Crimson Hunting Flame like a lamp in his palm, and stepped into the depths of the ruins.

He meticulously searched every corner, lightly picking at the loose soil with the tip of his sword and sensing the energy in his palm, but found nothing but decay and death.

What exactly did the stone boy take when he entered this temple under his name?

Is it another alchemy furnace jade slip, or something else related to the core inheritance of the Five Viscera Theory?

But after searching, nothing more was found.

He sighed softly and finally turned to walk outside.

The moment he stepped out of the boundary of the ruins, the thick fog around him seemed to be swallowed by an invisible giant mouth, and it quickly receded and dissipated!
Almost simultaneously, a violent, dizzying sensation suddenly gripped him.

When he suddenly regained his senses and opened his eyes, he found himself still standing perfectly fine in the mountain forest where the thick fog had just begun!
The night was deep, and the moonlight, like a ribbon, shone coldly on the clearing in the woods.

The chirping of insects was subtle yet clear all around, and the night breeze rustled through the treetops, carrying the moist scent of distant earth and vegetation.

In the woods not far away, the faint orange-red light flickered, the campfire still burning in the pine breeze.

Qi Yun looked down.

He was holding the long sword with its ancient pine-patterned sheath tightly in his hand!

The two characters "Cheng Yun" on the hilt gleamed with a cold, hard light under the moonlight, and the weight of the sword felt incredibly real.

He gently pushed the sword guard with his thumb, and a soft, clear sound escaped. The sword's surface, like a pool of autumn water, reflected his surprised and uncertain face.

"The Five Viscera Observation is so profound and unfathomable, even in this world!"

Qi Yun muttered to himself, his brows furrowed, "But Master Xuanji and Uncle Xuanqing are acting strangely, very strangely!"

His mind was tangled with doubts, but he quickly suppressed his turbulent emotions and regained his usual calm.

He sheathed his sword and strode toward the campfire.

Before they even got close, they saw the old Taoist priest Songfeng hunched over, pacing back and forth on the open ground of Baiyang Slope. He held a burning branch in his hand, carefully searching for something by the light of the fire. He shook his head and sighed from time to time, muttering, "It seems that the Five Internal Organs Coffin Temple is gone forever!"

Hearing the rustling of grass behind him, he turned around abruptly and saw Qi Yun's figure emerging from the woods. He hurriedly went to greet him.

"Master Qi! You're back! That temple can never be found again. I'm so ashamed that you made such a wasted trip!"

Qi Yun walked steadily to the campfire, the firelight illuminating his calm and expressionless face: "It's alright. The arising and ceasing of fate is beyond human control."

At this moment, Song Feng's gaze froze and suddenly fell on the long sword in Qi Yun's hand!

The ancient scabbard of the sword was mottled, with pine-like patterns visible, and its design was simple and unadorned, clearly not an ordinary item.

What's even stranger is that he clearly remembered that when Master Qi Yun left, he was only holding the original cloth-wrapped longsword. When did he acquire such a weapon with a deep and imposing aura that was obviously extraordinary?

Where did this desolate mountain wilderness come from?
Song Feng could hardly hide his surprise. He opened his mouth, but swallowed the words back.

This Taoist priest Qi is incredibly powerful and unpredictable. Since he didn't bring it up himself, he naturally didn't dare to ask rashly.

Qi Yun seemed oblivious to his surprise and said instead, "I'll trouble you to lead the way, fellow Daoist."

Upon hearing this, Song Feng quickly composed himself, bowed respectfully, and said, "Daoist, you flatter me! I am still grateful for your life-saving grace at Baiyang Slope eighteen years ago. The mere act of leading the way is nothing to mention!"
On the contrary, it was on the road that I heard the Taoist Master's teachings, which were like the clouds parting to reveal the sun, and I suddenly understood. The benefits I received were immeasurable! Qi Yun shook his head, "It is fate that we met this time."

I observe that the Yin energy is entrenched within your body, causing deficiency of Qi and blood, which obstructs your path.

"This humble Taoist priest can help you regulate your meridians, which may benefit your future spiritual practice."

Upon hearing this, Song Feng trembled violently, instantly understanding the implied meaning of parting in Qi Yun's words.

The color drained from his face instantly, and struggle and resentment flashed in his eyes, which finally turned into a resolute determination!
The next moment, he suddenly bent his knees and was about to kneel down to Qi Yun!

However, Qi Yun seemed to have anticipated this. Just as his knees were about to touch the ground, his body shifted slightly to the side like a ghost, perfectly avoiding the bow. A gentle force supported Song Feng's body.

"Daoist Master!" Unable to kneel in obeisance, Songfeng cupped his hands and looked up at Qiyun. His voice trembled slightly with excitement, but his words were exceptionally clear and earnest: "My secular name is Zhang Songnian, and I am fifty-two years old this year!"
The name "Songfeng" (Pine Breeze) was chosen by me after I became a monk, simply because I admired the pine tree's resilience and the breeze's purity!

Unfortunately, his aptitude was dull, and the inheritance he received was merely incomplete. For decades, he had dwelt in the mundane world, struggling and toiling, only learning meager skills to make a living. As for the true essence of the Great Way, he was like a blind man touching an elephant, utterly lost and confused!

His voice grew increasingly agitated, and tears welled up in his eyes: "Thank goodness! Thank goodness that I was able to meet you again in this lifetime!"

I overheard a Taoist priest's words on the road and finally understood what true spiritual practice is and what it means to relieve suffering and save people from calamities!

Like finding a lamp in a dark room, or seeing a tower while lost in a boat!

I dare not hope to become your disciple, Master. I only wish to follow you, to hold your horse and stirrups, and to listen to your teachings along the way. That would be enough for me!

"I hope that the Daoist Master will consider my sincere desire to seek the Dao and allow me to travel with you!" After saying this, he bowed deeply again.

Qi Yun looked at him and suddenly smiled softly: "I have previously killed government soldiers, so this matter will definitely not end well."

At this moment, a large contingent of cavalry officers is probably already searching for them.

"Aren't you afraid of being implicated and ending up beheaded if you follow me?"

Song Feng suddenly raised his head, his face showing no fear at all, but rather an unprecedented open-mindedness and determination. He said loudly, "I have received guidance from the Daoist Master. I only regret that I was confused in the past and had the meager strength but failed to save the people from suffering!"

Now that we understand the true meaning, we should strive to be upright and have no shame. How can we shrink back from danger because of fear of disaster?
If that were truly the case, wouldn't it be a betrayal of the Taoist master's teachings, and a wasted effort in cultivation?

Qi Yun's gaze fell on his face, as if examining his true intentions. After a moment, he asked, "You have spent half your life operating around Wuling County and also have disciples in your Taoist temple."

To simply abandon it all, letting half a lifetime's worth of effort go to waste—doesn't that cause you the slightest heartache?

Zhang Songnian's expression darkened for a moment, but then he regained his composure and sighed, "Those are just worldly things for making a living, a last resort. How can we put the cart before the horse?"

Most of the disciples in the temple are here to make a living. If they heed even a fraction of my daily advice to do good, that is their own good fortune; if they don't, like that wicked disciple Sun Miao, their hearts are not righteous. Heaven's justice is clear, and they will have their own retribution and reincarnation. Why should I be attached to that?"

Qi Yun nodded slightly after hearing this: "Very well."

He then changed the subject: "However, your body is indeed too weak. If you can't keep up with the pace, you will only become a burden."

Since you've decided to travel with me, I'll first cleanse you of your ailments.

(End of this chapter)